The haka is an emotive issue for rugby fans. For New Zealanders, the war dance which the All Blacks perform as a matter of course before every Test is an essential part of their culture, one that their team should never be without.
Some opposition fans argue the pre-match ritual offers them an unfair advantage, though, and even that its prevalence has diminished its symbolism.
Those are sentiments that could hardly be applied to New Zealand’s seven-a-side compatriots, and certainly not in Dubai.
The haka is only performed in sevens after New Zealand win a tournament.
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