Last week The Usos - Jimmy Uso (aka Jonathan Fatu) and Jey Uso (aka Joshua Fatu) - performed the Haka during a taping of Smackdown. The Haka was described by the commentators as a polynesian "war dance" performed by their ancestors. The Usos are Samoan but the Haka is of Maori origin - the difference is about the same as Americans to British. While they're distant cousins they're also far enough removed for it to be an insult of sorts.

The Haka has been used by New Zealand's national rugby team, the All Blacks, for over 100 years. Samoa's own team Manu Samoa have developed their own "war dance" and it's this dance The Usos should've performed as Samoans. Granted it's not as famous as the Haka but at least they wouldn't be offending anyone by using it.

The WWE has never been good at cultural sensitivities - take national anthems for example (every other anthem is either sung badly or interrupted) and other nationalities are almost always portrayed as parodies.

As a young Maori myself and seeing The Usos perform the Haka I was actually divided. On one hand it was great seeing the Haka performed on an international stage but on the other hand it was done by two guys who shouldn't be doing it. Did they even have permission? I have to ask.

While the Haka has been led by non-Maori before like Tana Umaga, a Samoan, as the Captain of the All Blacks (2004-2005) he had the resources here in New Zealand that The Usos do not by being overseas.

Now that the damage has been done I only hope the WWE do something about it; think before they just go ahead and do something "cool", and more importantly... get the proper permission, consultation and advice first. That just makes sense doesn't it?

Regards, Cliff.