|
New Zealand Maori is the name of both a rugby union team and a rugby league team that traditionally play teams touring New Zealand in their code. A prerequisite for playing for this team is to be of Maori descent. The team does not compete in international competitions such as the Rugby World Cup, though the rugby league side has taken part in the Rugby League World Cup. For this, with some controversy the New Zealand Maori rugby league team can be considered to be an international rugby league team
The rugby union team was the first overseas team to tour Britain was the 'New Zealand Natives' in 1888/89. They played three or four times a week for a total of 74 games of which they won 49.
One of the New Zealand Natives' greatest legacies was the haka, a traditional Maori war dance that was later adopted by the New Zealand national team the All Blacks as ironically were their black jerseys (previous New Zealand sides had worn navy blue).
See also
|
