Ka mate! Ka mate! Ka ora! Ka ora!

New Zealand were crowned world champions at the Rugby World Cup for the first time in 24 years today after squeezing past an inspired France team by a single point.

I am always pleased when the host nation wins a tournament and I am particularly pleased for the All Blacks who have, since 1987, always given us the haka before the game starts and this piece of theatre is both enjoyable and terrifying at the same time!

The traditional Maori war dance involves lots of thigh slapping, scary faces and loud chanting and you can’t help but feel sorry for any opposing team having to stand and watch this without the fear of God running through them! 

Take a look at this and you’ll see what I mean …..