The All Blacks perform the Haka ahead of their tour match against the Sharks.
In what was arguably the most extraordinary build-up to an All Blacks match in history, the hardy 20,000 who braved atrocious weather conditions at Kings Park were treated to the sight of former All Black Ma’a Nonu responding to the haka of his former teammates with a solo haka of his own.
Nonu, a double World Cup winner with New Zealand, was wearing the black-and-white strip of the Sharks.
The 42-year-old has signed a four-month contract with the Durban franchise and, having performed the haka more than 100 times for the All Blacks, knew better than anyone that the traditional Māori war dance is about laying down a challenge to do battle.
Respecting the tradition of the challenge, Nonu stepped forward from the tight ranks of his Sharks teammates and broke into an emotional, one-man acceptance of the call to arms.
