While it might not have come across that way to those watching on, both sides involved in last week's tense haka stare down insist it was a show of respect rather than anything more sinister.
Ahead of facing off for the second time in a week this Saturday in the final of the Pacific Championships in Hamilton, players from the Kiwis and Kangaroos have brushed aside suggestions that their pre-match face off had any ill feeling attached to it.
After advancing on the Australian team who were gathered in a half circle formation, the Kiwis got to within touching distance of their opponents in what captain James Fisher-Harris said post-match was a spur of the moment decision.
But Kangaroos forward Isaah Yeo told pan66.com that despite the hostile appearance of the act, nobody in green and gold took issue with it and for him the haka was an "unreal" moment ahead of his side's 36-18 victory at AAMI Park.
Kangaroos v Kiwis - Week 3, 2023
"Neither team wanted to take a backwards step and it was both teams showing respect to one another," Yeo said.
"Respect is one of our values within the Roos. We have the upmost respect for the Kiwi boys and everything that surrounds the haka.
"It shows that it was an important game for both teams and is part of what makes Test matches between Australia and New Zealand so special."
That was a view shared by Leo Thompson, who led the haka for the Kiwis and commended Australia for standing their ground in the face of New Zealand's challenge to them.
I like the way they stood staunch there. That’s how you respect a haka. I love that.
Leo Thompson
"That [moment] was nothing to be honest, just part of the game.
"I love doing the haka... I’ve done it all my life, I did it before every game in the [school] 1st XV growing up, so I am kind of used to it."
Despite the passion and spirit they displayed prior to kick-off, once the game began the Kiwis were found wanting, with a disastrous start seeing Jamayne Isaako send the opening kick-off out on the full.
While they managed to stay in the contest up until the final half hour, the 18-point losing margin was a major regression for the Kiwis following last year's 16-14 World Cup semi-final loss to the Kangaroos.
However, Australia five-eighth Cameron Munster expects it will be a very different test his side face on New Zealand soil in the final.
"We can't sit on our laurels and think that's going to happen the same in New Zealand; we're in their territory now and obviously [last week] was a little hiccup for them," Munster said.
"We are expecting a lot better Kiwi team this weekend, that's for sure.
"We played some good footy but we need to improve if we want to win this final."
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