New Zealand defend 'new' haka

New Zealand have defended their controversial new haka after complaints from Australia over the pre-match ritual's final "throat-slitting" gesture. Australia coach John Connolly said the act of New Zealand players running their thumbs across their...

New Zealand have defended their controversial new haka after complaints from Australia over the pre-match ritual's final "throat-slitting" gesture. Australia coach John Connolly said the act of New Zealand players running their thumbs across their throats was completely inappropriate for a sporting contest.

But All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith dismissed Australia's complaints, saying the haka was an important part of New Zealand's Maori culture and the final gesture had been misinterpreted.

"It's not actually a throat-cutting gesture," Smith said. "We do it for ourselves, it's who we are. We feel comfortable with it."

The sides meet in the Tri-Nations at Brisbane's Lang Park today.

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