Who leads the haka is a question asked by many fans. And New Zealand’s pre-match ritual was brought into the spotlight by England prop Joe Marler’s comments on social media before the opening 2024 Autumn Nations Series clash.

Marler wrote on X: “the haka is ridiculous, it needs binning”, he then deactivated his account before returning and posting the following: “Context is everything. Just having a bit of fun trying to spark interest in a mega rugby fixture. Some wild responses. Big Love x.” He followed that up with another message: “Also needed to satisfy my narcissism.”

The All Blacks have a leader when they perform the haka before their Test matches and that has exchanged hands recently because of a retirement.

Aaron Smith was the haka leader and continued his role at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. However, after losing to South Africa in the final Smith hung up his international jersey.

Read more: Who has captained the All Blacks?

TJ Perenara seems to have picked up the title in his place. He has performed the haka when included in the All Blacks matchday squad since Smith retired. Perenara, who has led the haka many times before too, had the role for the first Test against England and during the Rugby Championship in 2024.

Perenara was injured for the second Test against England which saw hooker Codie Taylor lead the haka. The scrum-half also did not play against Fiji and so Ardie Savea led the haka for the first time.

The All Black haka is often referred to as a ‘war dance’, which while technically correct, isn’t really what it is. It’s a challenge and sign of respect, as well as an extremely important shop window into Māoridom.

The honour of being player who leads the haka

It’s worth remembering that in New Zealand culture, it would be far more disrespectful if someone didn’t perform a haka during a formal occasion, be it a rugby game, graduation or wedding reception.

So, we know the player who leads the haka has a pretty important job. They are the kaea: literally ‘leader’, of whom the haka is their sole responsibility. The kaea is in charge of haka practice throughout the season, that new players know what they are doing, who stands where in the formation and, most importantly, which one of the two All Black haka are performed before each game.

That’s based on what’s managed to have been squeezed out of the All Blacks over the years, who are as notoriously secretive about the haka’s inner workings as they are about their lineout calls.

It has been tradition for whoever the most senior Māori player in the side to be kaea. Māori half-backs in particular have a long history in the spot, with Perenara, Piri Weepu carrying on the amateur era role of the great Sid Going.

But while it seems like an obvious cultural connection, being from a different heritage doesn’t rule you out: Tana Umaga was kaea while he was captain, while Richie McCaw and Kieran Read did so during their illustrious careers too.

What is he holding in the haka?

Aaron Smith was holding a carved wooden paddle in his hands during the opening haka of the Rugby World Cup against France. Smith said: “I was carrying a hoe (pronounced haw-eh), like a waka paddle.

“It was something special for our group. It aligns a little bit around our time in France … but I don’t want to give too much away about it.

“World Cups are different and we wanted to add something unique to this group for this moment in time. It just felt like it was the right time, and it was very special to carry that hoe and represent our people back home.”

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