Before the French XV beat the All Blacks in their second test match of the fall, the Haka of the New Zealand players was the subject of a very special staging at the Stade de France. The Seine-Saint-Denis precinct was plunged into darkness. A show which left its mark and aroused great enthusiasm in New Zealand.
Images that went around the world. Saturday evening, the Stade de France was the scene of a very special moment before the kick-off of France-New Zealand (30-29). Always eagerly awaited, the Haka was the subject of a staging that the spectators at the Stade de France will not soon forget. After a Marseillaise sung at the top of their lungs, the fans present in the Saint-Denis enclosure were plunged into darkness when the Blacks began an unforgettable Kapa o Pongo.
Grill: “The president of the New Zealand Federation thanked me ten times for the staging, but also for the respect of the public”
The result of a lot of upstream work between the FFR teams and the broadcaster, TF1, the warrior song was illuminated by the Stade de France spots, just like the French players. A masterful show embellished by the lights of mobile phones which amazed New Zealand. “The Stade de France was transformed into an art gallery when the All Blacks performed the Kapo O Pango,” underlines the New Zealand media Stuff, while The Post speaks of an “Electric Haka in the spotlight.”
New Zealanders appreciated the respect of the public
On social networks, many fans also relayed photos and videos of the Haka, also highlighting the attitude of the spectators: “The French just showed how much they respect the Haka.” A real pride for Florian Grill: “The president of the New Zealand Federation thanked me ten times for the staging, but also for the respect of the public, which brings honor to the public and the country”, rejoiced the boss of French rugby, cited by Le Parisien.
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