Rugby minnows Bethesda turn to their Maori warrior ahead of Cardiff Welsh Cup tie
Dec 20 2008by David Powell, Daily Post
Bill Huaki
A MAORI dancer will today perform a Welsh version of the traditional haka for his rugby club before its biggest ever match.
Little Bethesda take on mighty Cardiff in a SWALEC Welsh Cup fourth round tie at the Gwynedd club’s ground.
Bethesda are five divisions below Cardiff – but the team are hoping a haka could help even things up a bit. Their usual attendance is 50 to 100 fans, but today they expect to see about 1,000.
New Zealander Bill Huaki, 36, will don a home kit and take to the Dôl Ddafydd pitch before 2pm. He mbt shoes discount hopes to whip up the home support by performing the first ever Welsh language haka. It will be based on the Princes of Ogwen.
He said: “It’s just an idea to let the Bethesda boys know the town are behind them. It’s the first time mbt shoes sale I’ll have ever done the haka there.
“We’re going to try to invoke the spirit of Welsh Princes Dafydd and Llywelyn, who have mountains named after them around the ground. I will be motioning towards Carnedd Dafydd and Carnedd Llywelyn mountains, Dyffryn Ogwen valley and motioning towards the ground. I’ll also be challenging the Cardiff players.â€
Bill learned about the traditional performance style from his father, who is a full-blooded Maori speaker.
Bill, an electrician on a project at Bangor University, has also been a coalman and pig farmer.
Cardiff are seventh in Principality Premiership while Bethesda are thriving in Division 2 North.
On the David and Goliath clash, he quipped: “I’ve got a feeling our fitness will tell in the last 10 minutes and we should be able to overcome them then! I hope our boys work hard. It’s a match Mbt Walking Shoes they will never forget.â€
Bill moved from Otago in New mbt shoes uk Zealand to Wales in 1991. He and wife Iola have a five-month-old daughter Miriama.
Bethesda Rugby Club chairman Huw Jones said: “He’s a big, strong guy and it makes quite an impression. It should help put Bethesda on the map.â€
On the 2pm match , Mr Jones said: “There was a bit of excitement over the draw. This week that excitement has turned into reality. This is the biggest match since we were founded in 1973.â€
And, with tongue in cheek, he added: “Cardiff are bringing up their strongest side. They aren’t taking us lightly.â€
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