In an unusual and divisive departure from tradition All Blacks halfback TJ Perenara made a political statement during the haka in what was his final test match, sparking debate over the mixing of sports and politics.
Perenara’s controversial gesture was added to post-match with several teammates posing with a Tino Rangatiratanga flag.
The actions may lead to a potential alienation of fans who view the All Blacks as a unifying force, not a political platform.
Critics warn that such actions risk diluting the team’s iconic global brand, which has long been celebrated for its discipline, tradition, and focus on excellence, transcending divisive issues.
Passionate debate on X followed, with thousands of long-time rugby union fans expressing their disappointment, while others predicting the actions will tank the All Blacks brand in yet another case of going “woke and broke”.
When I heard TJ Perenara start speaking about the hikoi and the unity of Maori, I thought “you really need to stick to rugby”. Maori are hardly unified.
So the ABs are not representing NZ anymore, just the flag with a scribble on it. There goes my support as I am a New Zealander.
Reminds me of “Black Lives Matter” this thing has external influence written all over it. I kept saying it’s starting to look like another CIA umbrella revolution. The government needs to cut them to size in time.
@NZRugby what do you have to say to your diehard rugby fans for this political stunt and the haka at the beginning of KA mate, because what you have done is made the haka WOKE
AB management need to get this shit under control, it has the potential do big damage to their brand
Fkn cunts!! Management the coaches RugbyNz need to go fk themselves and not us!!!!
People are losing interest in the AB’s anyway. Let this be another knock to their popularity.
Hope sponsors withdraw funding
I think they just lost me.
Go woke go broke all blacks
So they were woke and dumb after all. Next a Jaguar style commercial? Why help radicals like TJ divide NZ? We need to be united to remain competitive.
The All Blacks are now the Marketing Department for Te Parti Māori. https://t.co/xNQdT9Hkap pic.twitter.com/sSIeC0gBQe
— Holyhekatuiteka (@2ETEKA) November 24, 2024
Now the @AllBlacks are taking the piss out of 99% of the country. pic.twitter.com/JePAT4Gt5m
— FUBAR nz (@NzFubar) November 24, 2024
The haka should have been taken out of that sport decades ago, as it just plays into radical Māori’s hands.
Wow. Embarrassing. I wish Italy had beaten them would have served them right. There is no place for politics in sport.
Just a bunch of silly men chucking a ball around to distract the masses from what’s really going on.
Cringe worthy and stupid. I won’t be watching the All Blacks or buying their merch after this.
Tbh Perenara is a clown, pushed the jab hard out remember?
A lot of Maori don’t support this. Just get on and play footy.