{
  "id": 629694,
  "title": "Nonu’s solo Haka: All Blacks knew it was coming, says coach Rennie [video]",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/nonus-solo-haka-all-blacks-knew-it-was-coming-says-coach-rennie-video",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-12T04:23:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/rugby/nonu-solo-haka-all-blacks-knew-it-was-coming-coach-rennie/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "New Zealand head coach Dave Rennie confirmed that he was aware before the 54-0 victory over the Sharks in Durban that former All Black Ma’a Nonu would perform a solo Haka. Following the traditional pre-match Haka by the All Blacks, 44-year-old Sharks substitute Nonu stepped forward and delivered a response. Rennie said, \"We knew the Ma’a Haka was coming.\" Nonu spoke to the Sharks defence coach Tana Umaga about the right way to respond to the Haka. Later, Nonu told SuperSport TV, \"On behalf of myself and my family, I thought it was the right thing to do, to answer the boys and the All Blacks.\" He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to show respect to the team he loves and praised the All Blacks' performance.",
  "summary": "Ma'a Nonu, the veteran former All Blacks rugby player, performed a solo Haka in the colours of the Sharks on Tuesday.",
  "key_points": [
    "Coach Dave Rennie knew Ma’a Nonu's solo Haka was coming.",
    "Nonu's substitute teammate performed the response Haka.",
    "Nonu thanked All Blacks for respect opportunity."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The All Blacks' awareness of Nonu's planned solo Haka response shows a level of respect and familiarity between him and his former team, blurring the lines between opponents and past teammates.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}