And what the Rugby World Cup is most certainly not is a cup of tea. It is rather one of the most exquisitely brutal and thrilling sporting events played by civilized nations. Twenty teams representing 20 nations meet for a series of matches over a one-month period to determine the world champion. In the course of these matches, two teams, consisting of 15-men a side, will beat the living snot out of each other for 80 minutes. All for national honor.

The Rugby World Cup opened Friday in Paris with a stunning upset -- host nation and pre-tournament favorite , France, lost to Argentina 17-12 in first round action. With typical Gallic elan, every French rugby fan threatened suicide. On Saturday defending world champion England was torn apart by the British press for allowing the United States Eagles to hold them to a 28-18 victory, as if England was Notre Dame and America was the Little Sisters the Poor. In the world of rugby, the United States is one of the minnows among a sea of sharks. Meanwhile, rugby superpower Australia dispatched Japan by a score of 91-3, South Africa smothered Somoa 59-7, and Wales crushed Canada 42-17. All this on the same day that New Zealand bid a 76-14 arrivadercci to Italy. And this is only the beginning.

Back to the haka. Ironically, the All Blacks was a name given to a team of all white players from New Zealand more than 100 years ago on their first tour of England. The nickname All Blacks was, in fact, a typo referring not to their black jerseyes but to their fleet and mobile style of play by both forwards and backs. They played like "all backs." The haka has been a part of All Blacks tradition since the beginning. And to see it performed today, by a mixed race 21st Century squad of Maori, European and African ancestry is to get a thrill. Like watching the Souix dance before the Little Big Horn.