GeneChing
06-14-2017, 09:44 AM
I addressed Sword Presentation a little in Gifting Swords (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/index.php?p=article&article=1193). The topic has always fascinated me and this little news story got me inspired to start this thread.
Lions tour: No throat slitting haka for the Highlanders, just a massive sword (http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/93654579/lions-tour-no-throat-slitting-haka-for-the-highlanders-just-a-massive-sword)
KEVIN NORQUAY
Last updated 20:48, June 13 2017
https://resources.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/j/r/d/4/5/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349. 1jrcc3.png/1497343871391.jpg
INPHO/DAN SHERIDAN/PHOTOSPORT
The Lions' Sam Warburton receives a sword from Luke Whitelock of the Highlanders.
After facing haka upon haka on their New Zealand tour, the British and Irish Lions were given a challenge of a different kind by the Highlanders in Dunedin, in the steely shape of a Claymore sword.
A symbol of both the Highlanders and the region's Scottish heritage, the sword was carried on to the field by former All Black Clarke Dermody and his 10-year-old son Carter.
Now Highlanders scrum coach, Dermody's uncle Gerald Dermody played for Southland against the 1966 Lions, as his father Gus did against the 1983 tourists.
https://resources.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/j/r/d/4/f/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349. 1jrcc3.png/1497343871391.jpg
PHOTOSPORT/ JOE ALLISON
Luke Whitelock of the Highlanders presents a sword to the Lions. The Scottish symbol was carried on to the field by former All Black Clarke Dermody and his 10-year-old son Carter.
While the Blues, Crusaders and Chiefs chose to perform haka - a welcoming and challenging tribal dance - the Highlanders opted to invoke their Scottish heritage.
Highlanders captain Luke Whitelock had said "we're around our values, just trying to be good buggers and help each other out, just a sort of tight family group, and work together as a team."
The squad had felt it would not be appropriate to do a haka. As Whitelock walked toward the Lions with the sword, the HIghlanders formed a flying-V behind him.
Lions skipper Sam Warburton came forward to accept the challenge, then trotted the weapon to the sideline.
https://resources.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/j/r/b/x/7/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349. 1jrcc3.png/1497343871391.jpg
DIANNE MANSON/GETTY IMAGES
A British and Irish Lions supporter looks on prior to the match against the Highlanders.
The new Blues and Crusaders haka have proved tricky for the crowds, who have cheering in all the wrong places, then hastily hushing themselves. No such issue arose in Dunedin
Controversy surrounded the Blues haka, which featured a throat-slitting motion, which some felt was a poor encore to a minute's silence for victims of terrorism in Britain. The sword did not follow an instance of such deep reflection.
The Lions have requested Super Rugby sides perform the haka on this tour, so the lead in to games is akin to what they expect in the tests.
https://resources.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/j/r/e/6/v/image.gallery.galleryLandscape.600x400.1jrcr0.png/1497369897882.jpg
HANNAH PETERS/GETTY IMAGES
Highlanders first five-eighth Lima Sopoaga yells with delight after the win.
Until the Blues did their haka He Toa Takitini, no Lions side had faced one from any side other than the All Blacks, and Maori.
The Claymore sword is a Highlanders symbol, with the warrior on their logo wielding a sword and a shield.
"Modern-day Highlanders play their rugby the same way - ferocious in attack, tenacious on defence," the club said.
https://resources.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/j/r/b/x/8/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349. 1jrcc3.png/1497343871391.jpg
HANNAH PETERS/GETTY IMAGES
Lions fans await kickoff against the Highlanders.
Lions tour: No throat slitting haka for the Highlanders, just a massive sword (http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/93654579/lions-tour-no-throat-slitting-haka-for-the-highlanders-just-a-massive-sword)
KEVIN NORQUAY
Last updated 20:48, June 13 2017
https://resources.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/j/r/d/4/5/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349. 1jrcc3.png/1497343871391.jpg
INPHO/DAN SHERIDAN/PHOTOSPORT
The Lions' Sam Warburton receives a sword from Luke Whitelock of the Highlanders.
After facing haka upon haka on their New Zealand tour, the British and Irish Lions were given a challenge of a different kind by the Highlanders in Dunedin, in the steely shape of a Claymore sword.
A symbol of both the Highlanders and the region's Scottish heritage, the sword was carried on to the field by former All Black Clarke Dermody and his 10-year-old son Carter.
Now Highlanders scrum coach, Dermody's uncle Gerald Dermody played for Southland against the 1966 Lions, as his father Gus did against the 1983 tourists.
https://resources.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/j/r/d/4/f/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349. 1jrcc3.png/1497343871391.jpg
PHOTOSPORT/ JOE ALLISON
Luke Whitelock of the Highlanders presents a sword to the Lions. The Scottish symbol was carried on to the field by former All Black Clarke Dermody and his 10-year-old son Carter.
While the Blues, Crusaders and Chiefs chose to perform haka - a welcoming and challenging tribal dance - the Highlanders opted to invoke their Scottish heritage.
Highlanders captain Luke Whitelock had said "we're around our values, just trying to be good buggers and help each other out, just a sort of tight family group, and work together as a team."
The squad had felt it would not be appropriate to do a haka. As Whitelock walked toward the Lions with the sword, the HIghlanders formed a flying-V behind him.
Lions skipper Sam Warburton came forward to accept the challenge, then trotted the weapon to the sideline.
https://resources.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/j/r/b/x/7/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349. 1jrcc3.png/1497343871391.jpg
DIANNE MANSON/GETTY IMAGES
A British and Irish Lions supporter looks on prior to the match against the Highlanders.
The new Blues and Crusaders haka have proved tricky for the crowds, who have cheering in all the wrong places, then hastily hushing themselves. No such issue arose in Dunedin
Controversy surrounded the Blues haka, which featured a throat-slitting motion, which some felt was a poor encore to a minute's silence for victims of terrorism in Britain. The sword did not follow an instance of such deep reflection.
The Lions have requested Super Rugby sides perform the haka on this tour, so the lead in to games is akin to what they expect in the tests.
https://resources.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/j/r/e/6/v/image.gallery.galleryLandscape.600x400.1jrcr0.png/1497369897882.jpg
HANNAH PETERS/GETTY IMAGES
Highlanders first five-eighth Lima Sopoaga yells with delight after the win.
Until the Blues did their haka He Toa Takitini, no Lions side had faced one from any side other than the All Blacks, and Maori.
The Claymore sword is a Highlanders symbol, with the warrior on their logo wielding a sword and a shield.
"Modern-day Highlanders play their rugby the same way - ferocious in attack, tenacious on defence," the club said.
https://resources.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/j/r/b/x/8/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349. 1jrcc3.png/1497343871391.jpg
HANNAH PETERS/GETTY IMAGES
Lions fans await kickoff against the Highlanders.