Howlett to 'haka' back at All Blacks
Fri, 14 Nov 2008 17:59
Sign of the times: How will Doug Howlett respond to the Haka
Former All Black and now Munster wing, Doug Howlett, will be facing his fellow countrymen next Wednesday when his Heineken Cup champion side take on the All Blacks in an historic fixture.
And after performing the haka 63 times around the world, Howlett is now considering the best way to respond to the All Blacks' pre-match ritual from the other side of the halfway.
The much-anticipated clash at Limerick's Thomond Park will commemorate the Irish province's famous 12-0 victory over Graham Mourie's Grand Slam winning All Blacks of 1978.
Howlett is also not alone in facing the dilemma, with former New Zealand Maori captain Rua Tipoki and Taranaki midfielder Lifeimi Mafi also included in the Munster squad, leading Howlett to suggest Tipoki might be best qualified to decide what was appropriate.
"It will be an interesting one," Howlett told the New Zealand Herald.
"I've performed it many a time but never been in front of it. I might have to consult our resident Maori [Tipoki] and come up with the correct response in terms of what to do.
"Back home, it's not uncommon to haka back, it's probably the correct response," he added.
Whatever gets decided, Howlett admitted that the prospect of playing his old teammates had occupied his mind for some time now.
"It's been at the back of my head for a long time, it's an exciting opportunity and may never happen again," Howlett said.
Meanwhile, Munster coach Tony McGahan may be in a position to add to his squad after the Ireland game on Saturday, against the All Blacks at Croke Park.
"Right now these are the players we have training at the moment while the autumn internationals are taking place," said McGahan.
"Obviously those games take precedence and we have to just wait and see what the international management require in terms of players following on from the All Blacks game with another international
to face into."
Munster Squad to face New Zealand: Federico Pucciariello, Timmy Ryan, Dave Ryan, Frank Sheahan, Denis Fogarty, Donncha Ryan, Mark Melbourne, James Coughlan, John O'Sullivan, Niall Ronan, Justin Melck, Billy Holland, Barry Murphy, Kieran Lewis, Brian Carney, Anthony Horgan, Doug Howlett, Lifeimi Mafi, Rua Tipoki, Paul Warwick, Jeremy Manning, Conor Murray, Mike Prendergast
With thanks to munsterrugby.ie
