🚨People are raging at what the Irish fans did prior to kick-off, hugely disrespectful

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Some people were upset at how the Irish rugby fans reacted during the Haka prior to kick-off.

Ireland faces New Zealand in a titanic clash in Paris in the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup.

Prior to kick-off New Zealand started their traditional Haka as Ireland lined up in a number eight formation, paying tribute to the late Axel Foley.

Read More: 🚨(Video) Ireland paid tribute to Axel Foley with amazing gesture before kick-off 👏

Irish fans decided to belt out a chorus of the Fields of Athenry throughout, some people have taken offence to this.

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94 Comments

      1. Australia have been given the right of reply in the form of a singer led-crowd waltzing Matilda after the haka or before a game. Other nations with traditional war/warrior ceremonies are allowed to do the same.

        2. This has always been a tradition. Not an entertainment thing,,if the opposition had something similar then the team all blacks if told about this,they would respect that
          Challenge..it’s really respecting each other’s culture..don’t insult,

        3. Agree. Let all opposition supporters do it. The Irish supporters were on a mission, but it didn’t have the desired result, the Mighty All Blacks turned this disrespect on the Irish. You poke the bear, expect to get the claws. Have fun crying into your Whiskey glasses and mashed potatoes.

          3. Only time the Irish wore anything closely resembling a kilt was back in the early 80s in the North of Belfast, its kind of difficult to move sticks of TNT and weapons down your pants without getting unwanted attention from the lassies on the sidewalk. Ireland for Eire!!!

          1. You seriously trying to convince Irish people that kilts are an Irish thing :-D.. and worst thing is you sound so arrogantly dure of yourself !!!

          1. I spend a lot of time in Ireland ,and can honestly say I have never seen any one waring a kilt.

      3. I’m don’t have ties with both the cultures/ethnicities involved, so I would myself not want to go to deep into this because it’s not my discussion.

        But YOU!!! my friend just took it to a whole new level deliberately trying to belittle the people involved. Don’t stereotype people like this man, now you’re doing the same as the people you are trying to call out because of their behaviour..

    4. No one has privileges. Anyone can do it, but only 4 teams have “warrior dances” before rugby games: the New Zealand team, aka the All Blacks performs the “haka”; the Samoan team performs the “Siva Tau”, the Tonga team the ”Sipi Tau”, and Fiji the ”Cibi”. It’s their tradition. There are people who actually enjoy watching these and these sorts of responses spoil it for everyone. Wait till they are done and then respond with your song/chant.

    5. No it’s not a special privilege, it’s an culturally Indigenous right for NZ to perform Haka before every match as the same with Fiji, Samoa and Tonga when they perform their indigenous Haka. In tīkanga Māori, the opposition / fans must remain silent when the Haka is performed. This must be respected at all times. What the fans did was disrespectful and dishonest , not abiding by the Values that World rugby upholds. I suggest you heed your words next time

      1. Agree with you 100%. I’m not an all blacks supporter but the haka is a beautiful tradition not just done for rugby but for many other traditions. And respect should have been given to them to perform it.

          1. People don’t realise what ‘The fields of Athenry’ means to Irish people. It’s about the English repression of Irish people and we’ve every right to sing it proudly.

          2. A lot of Irish supporters have moved from football to rugby, bringing their traditions with them. In rugby, you show respect when the All blacks perform the haka. If the Ireland team had something to perform at that particular time the All Blacks would have showed their respect to our team but they didn’t. There was plenty of time for supporting the team with The Field’s of Athenry after the haka and it wouldn’t have emboldened the All Blacks right before the game started either 🤬 Seeing hints of football hooliganism seeping into the game also at this year’s 2023 RWC. I really, really, really hope that rugby isn’t going down that road, where supporters are concerned.

      3. The haka is a war challenge. The Irish supporters were just answering that challenge. Where’s the problem ? More teams or supporters should take up the gauntlet.

      4. New Zealanders should respect the Maori people at home and not treat them like second class citizens as I found during 2011 World Cup reminded of apartheid SA
        Don’t be telling rest of world how to respect Māori culture Get your own house in order

    6. Exactly WHY do anyone outside need to “respect” the Haka!!!

      Probably the most unfair “privalidge” in sport!

      Fkn rediculous to enforce opposing team to “accept” facing being screamed at…

      Either none get that, or all…
      Let opposing teams do what they want, make a team circle and have a team chat, turn around and face their fans…or walk towards like Wales did once…

      But to claim someone needs to respect an unfair gesture… absurd…

      1. Agree 100%. Why should one team be alliwed to pump themselves up before their opponents? Time to get rid of it or let the opponents negate it if they wish!

      3. Exactly. Let them perform their war dance prior to going to war if they want to. A very intimidating performance on a sports field.

      4. You Poms and Irish are so stupid
        If you’re offended you have a right to be but every time a country has tried to drown out the Haka it just ends up another bad result
        Accept it or not that is totally your option but be better to take on the challenge head on

      5. They obviously don’t teach respect for other countries cultures in the boarding fee paying schools
        of Ireland . They are now following the the English fans at Twickenham by drowning out the Haka.
        It is truly shameful behavior cheered on by the Irish rugby sports media. But thankfully the All Black’s put the whole sorry ignorant mob back in their box for another four years…..

    7. Because it’s the respectful thing to do acknowledging another countries culture and tradition just like the respect given your national anthem.
      It doesn’t matter now because NZ put Ireland out of the Rugby World Cup 2023.
      Wear that you BS son-of-bitch. We have the last laugh.

        1. Cop on mate. Ireland doesn’t play international rugby as a country. You should know that it is a unified sport like cricket, golf and hockey. The Irish Rugby Football Union competes in Test rugby; until recent years no anthem was played in away stadia. The creation of Ireland’s Call has solved that problem. The Irish anthem should not be played in Dublin at international rugby matches as the team playing in green is a select side representing the IRFU. World Rugby seems to turn a blind eye.

          1. Wow.. interesting read I need to investigate more..!! As far as haka goes.. yes it is a form of verbal challenge given to all international opposing teams.. but is only performed to signify the utmost respect that NZ has for there opposing team.. and is performed on behalf of all of NZ..!! Now whether you choose to listen and receive to it or reply in song is totally your choice..!! Just bear in mind that the All Blacks or All National Kiwi Teams motivation in a game is also heightened on how it is received.. more than just performing it..!!

      3. The Irish fans disrespect probably helped the All Blacks over the line, so thank you for that. Dissapointed it came from the Irish given the pride they have in their own culture.

    9. do you even need an answer to that question? ,if you do you dont know the spirit of the game*respect*

    12. A privilege ? How deep the lack of culture can go ?
      The Haka is a huge part of their culture and should be respected. This is what I have been taught .This is called getting some knowledge and education.
      Not talking about the disrespect of the minute of silence and of the kicker.

    13. performance of the haka at the start of rugby matches has been a tradition for decades way before all the nonsense and antics of the “modern” game, the haka is issued as a challenged and also shows respect to the opposition fans should also respect the performance, singing of the national anthems by fans prior to and during, are also a big part of the game.

    14. Wake up to yourself its a part of the NZ Tradition and also of many Island nations and Australian. Aboriginals so dont just pick on the Kiwis

    15. Visit New Zealand some time. It’s part of the culture, something special and unique. Families do it, schools do it. Sports teams do it. They are done at funerals etc. It is a mark of respect shown to others. In sport it shows both respect and used as a challenge. Sports teams show respect to one another when it is done. It is never ridiculed or disrespected. If you want to sing wait till it’s over. All the better for everyone.

    16. To be sure
      To be sure
      Sing as much as you like irish
      Don’t be so precious
      The world is full
      Of other people proud of their lineage

    17. Agreed. NZ is but one country with a unique culture . I would suggest that the Irish equally deserve respect. It cuts both ways.

    18. New Zealand doesn’t . Fiji , Samoa , Tonga do their challenge too. I think your country just doesn’t do their thing…….

  2. So now it’s not just opposing team players but everyone in the entire stadium – players and fans alike – who are meant to “show respect for” this team (and only this team) before each match. Get over yourselves.

    1. The response from some people regarding the All Blacks haka is so disgraceful and an insult to the Maori culture and traditions of Aotearoa (NZ). It demonstrates the barbaric attitude of some people in the World, their ignorance and arrogant behaviour, disgraceful. “GO THE ABs”. GIve them a taste of Kiwi.

      1. The Maori culture that is so respected by ALL New Zealanders , no poverty racism etc…… I have friends in NZ and if you can play rugby you are ok, if not you are a second citizen

  3. It should be done away with absolute bull ! Well done to the fans sing sing sing !! Best fans in the world . Hard luck to the Irish team tonight did your nation proud . Best of luck going forward NZ

    2. Maybe the Irish could treat us to a bit of river dance, the English to a bit of Morris dancing, the Scots to some tossing the kaiber and the Welsh to a male voice choir but whatever the tradition …it should be respected. Respect is a rugby value. In the immortal words of Nigel Owen….’this is not soccer’ .

  4. The Haka is designed to intimidate the opposition and get the NZ Opposition players amped up. I’m glad the Irish Fans sang to defuse the intimidation and get behind their team and get them amped up.

    1. You should go back to to football or gaelic football. Irish fans singing over the haka is disrespectful and not reflecting rugby valued. Wait until the haka has been performed then sing. But show respect.

    2. It did that to the Maori Battalion troops in North Africa, in 1942, when they ran out of ammunition, did a haka , and made a bayonet charge at the German and Italian positions, or on the Western front , in 1917/8, doing a haka before going “over the top”…….

  6. A team represents it’s nation. Challenge the team, you challenge the nation and guess what, the nation responded. The times, they are a-changing folks.

  7. Other teams are welcome to do their own pregame warcry, but most don’t. Respect the GOAT. Goes without saying…

  8. The Fields of Athenry is such a s**t song – So negative – it all about famine, rebelling against the crown, and being lonely in the fields around Athenry.

  9. It’s not just New Zealand that does a challenge dance it’s Polynesian culture. So Samoa Tonga &Fiji. I’ve also seen South Africa and Australia respecting their original people’s culture.

  10. I think it was rude. Never wanted NZ to win this bad but Ireland needs to come back to earth. I hope NZ smash them. Go NZ show them

  11. I never knew that the challenge (Hakka) as it’s called was directed at the spectators ! I was under the impression that it was directed at the opposing team .
    Get over yourself if you expect the whole world should come to a standstill during the Hakka .

  12. Didn’t the all blacks honour foley not so long ago, why couldn’t some of the irish fans shut up for few mins.i had my 2 youngest boys with me in silence for the haka as a sign of respect for the all blacks and their traditions and heritage. Maybe the fans can learn from a 13 year old and a 9 year old,who is autistic,on how to behave during the haka

  13. Have people seen how NZ crowds carry on??? Jesus, take your blinkers off! You live in a closed little world thinking everything is owed to you!

  14. This is becoming a regular thing not just at rugby with fans behaving inappropriately when anthems are sung. Ireland fans let themselves down today after the tram made the gesture for Axel Foley by forming an 8 before the game against New Zealand . The British anthem was at least twice dishonoured by the fans of Liverpool FC. during the last two seasons as was the 2 minutes silence, when the referee felt it necessary to cut the silence to just 33 seconds because the same fans were gearing and making a spectacle of the tribute,

  15. Never understand why they get to do their dance before kick-off. And even if they want to, why should opposition have to silently observe it.

  16. Oh please. The only people “raging” are those who know very little about rugby. Doubt anyone in NZ was put out.
    Fans respect each other’s anthems.
    The haka isn’t an anthem, it’s a challenge.
    Challenges can and should be responded to – and not just by the players.
    Thought the Irish fans were amazing.

  17. The Irish players gave the Haka the respect it merits. To ask 80,000 hyped up fans to be silent ?…..ffs, get a grip. Were we in the Irish pubs also meant to be silent ?…..get over it.

  18. That’s really sad because in the past ( and I witnessed it in 2005) the fans were very respectful in Ireland including not booing when a kick from either side was taken. There were big signs around the Stadium saying ‘ Respect the Kicker’. BUT I guess this is the World Cup and it was the Haka they reacted to- shame though all the same.

  19. Isn’t the Haka about defending your own land? Not relevant when you’re abroad for starters. Secondly, if it’s a war stance then the opposition has every right to treat it how they want. Thirdly, it creates a sense of entitlement in the Kiwis and sense of self-importance when at the end of the day Maori culture was undermined by white colonisation just like everywhere else. It’s virtue signalling in the 21st century.

  22. Haha, Mecca, Whacka, who gives a shite. We lost the game ffs. Fastest losers syndrome again. It’s in the irish psyche. We get so close then fall apart. It’s happened in Athletics, Formula One, Soccer, Boxing, etc, etc. It’s a hoodoo We can’t shake off.

  23. No different from England fans singing the chorus of a negros spiritual during Fijis challenge !

  24. It’s a totally different attitude today, there is no respect today, not for others or themselves.
    The Haka has been performed for years with plenty of respect shown, the first Country to show disrespect was Australia, they sang Waltzing Matilda during the Haka, if people can be quiet & still for the National Anthems, then they can do it for a couple of minutes more for Countries to perform there traditional challenges.
    It was talked about not performing the Haka a few years ago & over seas spectators said it wouldn’t be the same watching the All Blacks if they didn’t do the Haka before kick off, as most people loved & respected it, today is a completely different beast unfortunately

  25. Nine times out of ten, when opposition fans disrespect the Haka, their team loses. Serves you right!

  26. F Them and their Haka. Why are they allowed that and any other team not allowed their pre-match challenge?

  27. I have never understood why NZ are allowed this intimidatory event prior to a game of sport. Some National anthems are bad enough if you listen to the words sung.

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