Wales captain Ryan Jones and his team-mates extended the hand of friendship to New Zealand today by accepting a fearsome Maori warrior challenge.
The players and coaches visited a traditional Marae, a sacred place, as part of a mission to make friends in the land of the long white cloud.
Four Maoris wielding wooden staves danced and chanted the ceremonial greeting and left a feathered dart on the floor for Jones to accept.
By picking it up in the face of their growls and chants he was displaying the symbolism of friendship and honour.
It was an important and solemn moment as the entire squad looked on in silent respect.
They were paying a late afternoon visit to the Marae on the day of the Maori New Year after a gruelling training session held at the Hamilton Boys High School.
Coach Warren Gatland said: “It was a very special day and it is very important for the boys to understand the culture of the nation they are visiting.
“It was a very sacred thing to experience and we have learnt a lot about the Waikato region and the Maori people.”
Before arriving at the Marae, the team rowed down the Waikato River through Hamilton in traditional long wooden Waka canoes which used to be used when Maori warriors went to war.
Then at the Mari the warrior dancers carrying wooden staves unleashed fearsome growls as they danced the Wero challenge towards Jones and his players.
With the Wero challenge accepted, Maori women began to sing the Karanga or welcoming call as the team entered the Marae.
Maori elders thanked the team for coming and explained how the Maori nation had powerful links with Wales through rugby.
Wales Assistant Coach Robyn McBryde responded by reciting a Welsh poem called The Seasons which is about a shepherd reflecting on the harshness of winter while knowing Spring will bring rejuvenation.
McBryde told the Maori gathering: “Thank you very much for giving us all an experience we will never forget. In this world in which we are all increasingly materialistic, it is wonderful to encounter a culture within which tradition and values are regarded as being so important.
“Every time I have come across a Maori I have come across a man who is both humble and respectful.”
Maori leader and spokesman Bentham Ohia told the team: “It is a great honour for us to welcome you all. There are strong bonds of friendship between Wales and the Maoris and rugby has played an important part in that.
“We have seen how the Welsh people protected their language and that inspired us to mount a similar fight. It is great that the Welsh team have taken the time to learn about our culture and experience our traditions.”
