what is the haka in rugby

The haka is a traditional dance of the Māori people of New Zealand that has been adopted by the New Zealand national rugby union team, the "All Blacks," and other New Zealand sports teams. The haka is performed to challenge opponents before matches and is a way to display a tribes pride, strength, and unity. The haka is also used to celebrate, entertain, welcome, and challenge visiting tribes. The All Blacks perform the haka with precision, respect, and passion, and it has become a distinctive feature of the team. The haka performed by the All Blacks is called "Ka Mate," and it was first performed by the New Zealand representative rugby team, known as The Natives, during a tour of Britain and Australia in 1888-89. The haka is not only enjoyed by spectators but has also been criticized as an unsporting attempt to intimidate the opposition before the match begins. However, most teams accept that the haka is part of rugbys heritage and face up to the All Blacks during its performance, with both teams standing about 10 meters apart.