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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Dylan James

All Blacks haka confronted like never before to become rugby's most-watched video

One of the most-watched Rugby World Cup videos right now sees legendary France hardman Sebastien Chabal produce one of the most iconic responses in haka history.

The Maori war dance is a rugby tradition designed to strike fear into the hearts of opponents, but every now and again, someone steps up with a challenge.

The response occurred in a game for the ages. France v New Zealand in the 2007 Rugby World Cup quarter-final, at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

Instead of standing on their own 10-metre line, France faced the All Blacks' pre-match ritual arm-in-arm from the halfway line, barely a few yards away from their opposition.

A legendary Kiwi team looked on as they began 'Ka Mate'. The team included the likes of Joe Rokocoko, Dan Carter and Richie McCaw, but this obviously didn't phase the France players.

Les Bleus looked utterly up for it, and towering lock Chabal epitomised the hostile environment.

The All Blacks players are screaming out their battle cry and Chabal can't stand still. He's almost bouncing between his team mates, holding eye-contact with each of the New Zealand players, and looks like he is quite simply ready to go to war. It is spine-tingling sporting theatre.

This sublime moment has been touted as one of the best ever responses to a haka, and it certainly paid off, because France won the game 20-18.

The video first went viral last year, picking up 22 million views on TikTok. With the World Cup just a few months away, excitement is building on social media, and the iconic moment has been doing the rounds again.

In the last two days, Chabal's stare down has picked up almost two million views on Rugby World Cup's TikTok.

You can watch the video here.

Viewers were awe-struck.

"Think Chabal could have played that match single handedly, being that psyched up, respect to Les Bleus" said one.

"That Sebastian stare is another level" said another.

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