New Zealand tag rugby team’s Haka performance sends shock waves through Limerick pub

THEY MAY have come here for world cup glory but a New Zealand tag rugby team’s lasting impression may be a nail-biting Haka performance in a Limerick city pub.

The atmosphere was set, lights dimmed and the music turned off when up stood a number of the Australian-based New Zealand athletes in Hunters Sports Bar on O’Connell Street who performed the booming war dance.

The New Zealand Exiles are a mixed national tag rugby team featuring athletes from the country who are now based in Australia.

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According to Sasha Vasilieva, manager at Hunters Sports Bar, the New Zealand team made a last-minute reservation yesterday evening, Monday for a group of approximately 170 people.

“They just booked in last-minute for some food and some drinks. Since it was a Monday night it ended up being mainly just them in the bar. It was a great atmosphere,” Sasha said.

The New Zealand team were in conducting an awards ceremony and were giving away jerseys and other memorabilia.

“It was great fun,” Sasha smiled. “They asked me to turn off the music at around 9pm and they started doing the Haka after the awards.”

“It was very impromptu for us. They only reserved the table at around 4pm but the rest is history,” Sasha laughed.

Tag Rugby World Cup kicks-off as 17 nations compete in Limerick tournament

The team are due to make another visit to the popular sports bar later this week following a number of games in the Tag Rugby World Cup which is taking place in the University of Limerick.

“We were told that they are looking to present us with one of their jerseys as well. Fingers crossed it happens,” Sasha said.

The Tag Rugby World Cup began this Wednesday morning and sees a total of 350 games being played over a four-day period, with a closing ceremony taking place this Saturday, August 5 in Limerick’s Medieval Quarter.