All Blacks halfback TJ Perenara has praised Wallabies counterpart Will Genia for his attitude towards the haka, but stressed the need for his side to shut down the influential playmaker on Saturday.
The famous pre-match ritual was thrust into the spotlight after former All Black Kees Meeuws suggested in a book that the haka had "lost its mana" and "become a showpiece" and supposedly floated the idea of limiting the Maori war dance to some matches only.
The current All Blacks squad insist Meeuws was misquoted and misinterpreted, while Genia threw his support behind the haka.
He said he loved it and it was an expression of New Zealand culture.
"We have an incredible amount of respect for it and it's also a spectacle as well, it's great to be a part of," Genia said,
"You want to play the All Blacks because they are the best team in the world, but you also want to play them because it's a privilege to face something like that."
Perenara, who has led the All Blacks in their performance of the haka, said the ritual was special and dear to him, and thanked Genia for his "very nice" words.
'"For someone who faces the haka, for him to stand up and say what he said, it means a lot to me personally," Perenara said.
"It meant a lot to our environment, that it's cool to have someone who is on the opposite side of us come game time, step up for us and say a positive view on something that is so special to us."
Perenara, who is expected to be on the bench behind Aaron Smith for Saturday's first Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship match of the season, acknowledged how important Genia was to the Wallabies.
"Will has probably been one of the better attacking nines in world rugby for a wee while now." Perenara said.
"His ability to spot a hole and punish teams when we give him opportunities is second to none."
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