US basketball team faces haka for the first time

BILBAO — The New Zealand basketball team, the Tall Blacks, performed the haka before the start of their match against the USA team at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain.

But, members of the US basketball team appeared baffled by the loud, intimidating pregame performance on Sept 2.

To fans of New Zealand rugby’s All Blacks, the haka or traditional Maori challenge has been an integral part of matches since 1905, when the team first performed it before a live audience.

Although there are many different haka, the best known one is entitled ‘Ka Mate’, which has been adopted by the New Zealand Rugby Union team the All Blacks. The words to the cheer can be described as a celebration of the triumph of life over death.

Despite the Tall Blacks’ spirited efforts in Spain however, the US team beat New Zealand 98 to 71, winning their third preliminary round game.

Sources: The Telegraph, The Guardian