A brilliant performance of the haka from students from Dublin’s Together Academy has gone viral, racking up millions of views across social media.
The students, who have Down Syndrome, have become superstars overnight after the New Zealand All Blacks uploaded a video of their haka to Tiktok where it was viewed 2 million times.
It also quickly amassed almost half a million views on Twitter: “Thanks to Together Academy for an awesome haka ” the All Blacks tweeted.
Thanks to @TogetherAcademy for an awesome haka 🙌🏽 pic.twitter.com/knr2YEYx5E
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) November 12, 2021
The Academy, is a college and social enterprise cafe which opened in Dublin last year and provides people with Down syndrome with specialised training, work placements, on the job experience and a social network to improve employment prospects.
The applause for the amazing performance was sustained across social media.
“Amazing! Loving the enthusiasm and energy throughout. But NOTHING beats them all sticking their tongues out to the All Blacks at the end,” said one of many appreciative comments.
Amazing! Loving the enthusiasm and energy throughout. But NOTHING beats them all sticking their tongues out to the All Blacks at the end.
— TheUllahMaestro (@MaestroUllah) November 13, 2021
“Be still my beating heart! Members of an Irish Down Syndrome group performed a passionate haka for the All Blacks before the Dublin Test. The All Blacks accepted the challenge & it was especially poignant for the Barrett brothers who have a Down Syndrome sister. Awesome!” wrote another.
The Barrett brothers – All Black stars – have a sister, Zara, who has Down Syndrome and who they describe as “awesome”.
Be still my beating heart!
Members of an Irish Down Syndrome group performed a passionate haka for the All Blacks before the Dublin Test.
The All Blacks accepted the challenge & it was especially poignant for the Barrett brothers who have a Down Syndrome sister.
Awesome! pic.twitter.com/CXziReg3qK
— Patrick_Skene (@Patrick_Skene) November 14, 2021
The haka made news across the globe but the pressing question was whether the haka has led to the win for the Irish team
“Was our #togethertribe Haka the secret ingredient in tonight’s
@IrishRugby win v. the
@AllBlacks
? You’re welcome
@JohnnySexton ,” the Together Academy tweeted.
Was our #togethertribe Haka the secret ingredient in tonight’s @IrishRugby win v. the @AllBlacks?
You’re welcome @JohnnySexton #togetherstrong #inclusivesport #hakatogether #togetherwecan #downsyndromesport @Independent_ie @Elverys pic.twitter.com/5W9w9igExR
— TogetherAcademy (@TogetherAcademy) November 13, 2021