 The All Blacks perform a haka ( Māori challenge ) before each international match . The haka has been closely associated with New Zealand rugby ever since a tour of Australia and the United Kingdom by the 1888 – 89 New Zealand Native football team , though the New Zealand team that toured New South Wales in 1884 may also have performed a haka . The New Zealand native team that toured Britain in 1888 and 1889 used Ake Ake Kia Kaha , and the 1903 team in Australia used a mocking haka , Tupoto koe , Kangaru ! . The 1905 All Blacks began the tradition of using Ka Mate – a haka composed in the 19th century by Ngāti Toa leader Te Rauparaha . The 1924 All Blacks used a specially composed haka Ko Niu Tireni , but later All Blacks reverted to Ka Mate . 
