Pre-Game Fireworks: Scuffle Breaks Out At Vegas Bowl Rally Over Haka Dance

Both teams have a bunch of Polynesian players. Apparently the BYU guys were doing the Haka dance and something was done that was offensive. Had to be because one Oregon player jumped a fence, players tore their own shirts off and it was ready to be 'on', as they say. Cooler heads prevailed but you might wanna get to Sam Boyd Stadium early tomorrow to see check out the pagaentry before the game. It's certain to be more than a little interesting. SimiToeina is believed to be the player who took offense and got in the face of a Cougar player or two. More will come out on it I'm sure, and when it does, I'll have it for you.

BYU refeiver Nate Meikle called Matt Toeina classless for what he did.
Then he went on to say he didn't know why Toeina did it. So apparently, either Meikle's wanting to stoke the fire, or he's just stupid. Essentially his quote is, 'I have no idea why he did that but it what classless." You don't know why, but what he did was classless? Oh, So you don't know, but you're offended. That's hillarious.

Nate, learn, grow, evolve. Nobody wants Meikle making a judgement based on facts anytime soon. He doesn't know what they are, nor did he apparently care. Meikle went on to say something about 'We'll just see who wins on Thursday and we plan on doing it.' Fair enough.

Then not too long afterward, Meikle's quarterback called Bellotti to apologize for the reaction to Fili joining the dance by his own guys. I'm telling you, Fili's a big bear. He's not in there to rile guys up, but the Haka's usually done to your own fans, and not in that setting. Sounds like Meikle doesn't understand the culture because the other Polynesian guys from BYU didn't seem to have a huge issue with it.

Here's one piece on the history of the Haka dance. The dance is done to build and determine total unity within a fighting group. Somehow, I think what happened in Vegas during the rally might spur a little more unity than even a perfectly performed historical dance ever could.

Personally, the coolest way I've ever seen the Haka dance is done by the All Blacks rugby club of New Zealand. (Pictured here as well.) Those guys are amazing. This piece was done I think by Saatchi and Saatchi in Auckland. The Saatchi Worldwide President Kevin Roberts is also on the All Blacks Board of Directors. Thus, there's some pretty cool production value in this piece.