Ostensibly, the Rugby World Cup is held every four years to determine the world’s best rugby union team, but with each iteration it’s becoming increasingly apparent it doubles as a manly-man dance competition.
In 2015, the Cup’s ulterior motive was foreshadowed by host city Milton Keynes kicking things off with a foot-stomping drum competition held in the streets. 2019 host Japan continued the trend with an opening ceremony that featured more frenetic foot-stomping.
ALL BLACKS’ HAKA
New Zealand’s rugby team was the first to introduce the war dance (or haka) to the sport, and the All Blacks have long set the standard in pre-match dance performances.
Following their 2015 dance exhibition, the Kiwis ran all the way to their second Rugby World Cup title in a row and third overall — which at the time was the most of any country.
SAMOA’S SCOTTISH SIVA TAU
Aside from New Zealand, Samoa also has a tradition of fielding an impressive dance crew. They may have lost to the Scots at the last World Cup, but they won over the audience with a post-match Siva-Tau dance.
SOUTH AFRICA’S HAKA
South Africa’s rugby union team, know as the Springboks, may not have the same haka pedigree as the Kiwis, but they think they can dance, and dance they do.
The dance training paid off handsomely with the Springboks pulling even with the Kiwis in World Cup titles after prevailing at the 2019 tournament in Japan.
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