There's just too much haka for Div

The haka is being overdone, according to Springbok coach Peter de Villiers.

He gave this assessment of a war dance performed by the All Blacks, the Samoans, Tongans and Fijians at the Rugby World Cup.

De Villiers's remarks came as the Springboks were welcomed to Opotaka, the place where the haka originated.

According to the Dominion Post newspaper, the 70-strong Springbok touring party were given a rousing welcome in the rain by 50 Tuwharetoa warriors performing the haka.

"There are too many hakas around," he told the Dominion Post.

"It is losing its intensity, but [maybe] that is only me. People are becoming so used to it. It is not a novelty any more and they don't respect it."

However, All Blacks centre Ma'a Nonu said the team performed the haka because it was part of its history.

A Maori historian suggested the Springboks should ask their own indigenous people to suggest a pre-match ritual. The eye-rolling, foot-stomping Maori haka, entitled Ka Mate, has been performed before test matches by the All Blacks since 1905, becoming an integral part of the international rugby landscape.

Groups using social media such as Facebook have performed "flash haka" displays in parks, shopping centres and streets across New Zealand.

International rugby teams in New Zealand for the World Cup have been greeted by numerous hakas at official functions and school visits.

Maori rugby historian Malcolm Mulholland said it was a wonderful way to display New Zealand's indigenous culture to the world.

"They are organised by Maori, exhibit Maori culture, are being done in a modern way and get crowds to stop what they're doing and appreciate an aspect of Maori culture," he said.

Mulholland said that, rather than criticise New Zealand's haka, De Villiers should consult South African indigenous people, such as the Zulus, about using one of their traditional war dances.

However, there were signs of haka-fatigue elsewhere, with online commentator "John" backing De Villiers's stance in remarks posted on New Zealand's 3News website.

The haka is traditionally performed only by men. British pop group The Spice Girls were labelled culturally insensitive in 1997 when they did an impromptu version during a concert in Bali.