October 20

A haka for The Queen of New Zealand

 

 

For the first time, a haka has been performed at Buckingham Palace. This was on the occasion of 100th anniversary of the original All Golds' Rugby League tour to the United Kingdom in 1907. The 2007 team, including  the entire tour party, were invited to meet Queen Elizabeth II, as  Queen of New Zealand, at the Palace on Tuesday, 16 October, 2007.

 In the New Zealand Rugby League Press Release,  the team manager Malcolm Boyle warmly welcomed the event, saying: "This is a tremendous and rare honour, not just for us but for the game itself. Being invited to meet the Queen has just lifted a hugely significant event to yet another level.”This tour by the All Golds’ team includes three of New Zealand's greatest players – Ruben Wiki, Stacey Jones and Nigel Vagana – as well as Warriors’ captain Steve Price, the team's Australian guest player. Team captain Ruben Wiki, who was made an Officer in the New Zealand Order of Merit in this year's Queen's Birthday List, said: "It's humbling to think we'll meet The Queen at a time when we're celebrating 100 years of international rugby league. It makes this All Golds’ tour even more special. I know I've got some work to do on the day."  

  As to the haka, New Zealand TV3 said that when people are  this rowdy they are usually asked to leave. When news of the event spread, palace staff turned up to watch. It was, as it always is, a great  success.  After the team performed, The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh mingled among the footballers. The television clips also show the Royal Corgis doing their duty and circulating too. We have not been able to establish whether the corgis actually witnessed the haka. We think they probably were not allowed such a viewing, as they could have misinterpreted the intentions of the New Zealand footballers  and in their confusion valiantly rushed to defend their beloved Sovereign.  .  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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