RWC #46: France march on the Haka before 2011 final

The Haka is one of the greatest spectacles not just in rugby but in sport. Intimidating and rousing in equal measure, it makes the hairs on your neck stand on and is one of the game’s most enduring and captivating traditions.

But for every Haka, there’s a team which has to face up to it.

Facing New Zealand and the Haka must put opposition players in a precarious position. Do they stand there and take it in the hope of not riling the beast any further, or do they fight fire with fire and retaliate, walking the fine line between bravery and stupidity by playing the All Blacks at their own game?

There have been a number of memorable responses to the Haka. Wales, for example, stared it down in 2008, holding their ground until referee Jonathan Kaplan had to physically march the players away in order to start the game on time.

In 2007 France, decked out in blue, white and red t-shirts, faced down the Haka from the halfway line, with half-caveman half-backrow Sebastian Chabal snarling throughout.

Fours year later France again produced one of the best responses to the Haka, this time before the World Cup final.

Here they were in Eden Park, about to take on the world’s best team as they looked to end 24-years of World Cup hurt in front of an expectant crowd in their own backyard.

As the Haka began France linked arms to formed a 'V' and as one moved towards the All Blacks edging closer and closer with their captain Thierry Dusautoir.

Challenge accepted.