Former New Zealand fullback Israel Dagg expects Ireland will attempt to do something to "rattle" the All Blacks during the Haka ahead of their Rugby World Cup quarter-final clash on Saturday night.
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"It’s our identity as a country, as a nation," Dagg told The Telegraph Rugby Podcast about the Haka.
"When you hear the haka, you know they’re from Aotearoa, from New Zealand. It is a challenge, but it’s also a sign of respect for the battle we’re about to embark on.
"I still feel a lot of teams respect it, appreciate it, but on the flip side, teams are challenging it back. They are really embracing what’s coming and for me personally I absolutely loved it. It’s a good way to get up, get motivated, to stamp your mark on the game about to begin.
2 July 2022; New Zealand captain Sam Cane leads the Haka before the Steinlager Series match between the All Blacks and the Ireland rugby team at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
"I remember in 2011 when France came over the 10-metre line – apparently they got a €20,000 fine for it, but they have plenty of money so it doesn’t matter – they came up in our faces, in the Mighty Ducks formation, had different t-shirts on. As a player, I was like, ‘wow’, because we didn’t expect it.
"Going forward, I reckon Ireland and whoever New Zealand face in these playoffs will potentially do something that is going to try and rattle this All Blacks team.
"I'll be honest, in 2011 I didn’t expect it and it got on my mind a little bit more. It’s giving me shivers right now.”
Dagg, who won 66 caps for the All Blacks, hosts a breakfast radio show in New Zealand.
READ HERE: NZ Rugby Writer Brands "Arrogant" Ireland As The "New England"
16 July 2022; James Lowe of Ireland celebrates his side's first try, scored by teammate Josh van der Flier, not pictured, during the Steinlager Series match between New Zealand and the Ireland rugby team at Sky Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
"There's a little bit of worry," he said about Saturday's meeting with Ireland.
"I'm not going to lie, there's a little bit of doubt that's just crept in. I work in radio and I'm trying to inspire and encourage everyone to get behind this team but every message that comes through the phone lines is just pumping up Ireland.
"It's no surprise with what they've done in the last five or six years, to be number one [in the world], to win Grand Slams, to potentially win 18 [tests] on the trot. If they go all the way and they win the Grand Slam, they could potentially be the greatest test team to win the most consecutive games.
"There is a lot of confidence building in the Irish team but for me personally, I hold onto a lot of World Cup pressure. I was lucky enough to play in one and it's just different, particularly when you get to the playoffs when you know it's still [do or] die.
"Ireland haven't done that (win the the Rugby World Cup knockout stages). That's where I get a sense of confidence from an All Blacks point of view. We've been there before and we know what it takes to win this."
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