The haka is arguably the most iconic ritual in the sporting world. Whether you're a rugby fan or not, you can still admire the spectacle of the Maori battle dance. The All Blacks are renowned for their passionate renditions of the haka, but a performance by students at a rugby game in New Zealand has given them a run for their money.
The video from has gone viral on TikTok in the past few days, and has garnered a whopping one million views and 129,000 likes. The haka took place prior to a huge clash in New Zealand schoolboy rugby - Auckland Grammar v King's College - a rivalry that stretches back years.
King's College are up first, as a sea of boys and girls prepare to challenge their opponents to battle on the rugby field. The passion is infectious as the haka leader screeches out to his schoolmates as he marches up and down through the mass of students. One student is pictured sporting a full suit of armour as they engage in the battle cry. Everyone is brimming with excitement, the mass of burgundy move in unison to create a hugely intimidating sight.
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Once King's College are finished, Auckland march forward amid a flurry of screams, it makes for breathtaking viewing. The level of passion is not lost on the haka leader for Auckland, as crowds are pictured watching on in awe of this incredible spectacle.
What makes the video even more impressive is that all the students, from both teams, are performing the haka in their school uniforms.
The game lived up to the immense hype, as King's College lost by just three points, with the score line finishing 21-24. The crowd were provided with a fitting performance of rugby theatre as two fierce rivals locked horns.
With 10 minutes to go, Auckland heaped huge pressure on King's College, and earned the match-winning try. King's tried desperately to get into the lead again, with a huge assault on the Auckland try line in the final moments, but it was not to be.
The haka always gets a lot of attention in the rugby community and is instilled into the Kiwi youth from such a young age, the passion shown by these students is unmistakable, and they would not look out of place performing the Maori tradition in a packed out stadium. With the video doing the rounds on TikTok this week, viewers have been blown away by the performance.
"I got goosebumps" said one.
"I love that they do this in there prep uniforms, it makes it more epic" said another.
