Matt Dawson urges fans to get behind England and DO THE #HAKARENA
As the Rugby World Cup launches on home soil, Britons are being encouraged to express their support of the home side with a new dance… led by ex-England Captain and Strictly Come Dancing twinkle toes, Matt Dawson.
Ahead of the tournament which kicks off at Twickenham on 18th September, menswear retailer Jacamo has enlisted Matt Dawson to lead local team Battersea Ironsides and supporters up and down the country to perform the ‘Hakarena’.
Carie Barkhuizen from Jacamo said: “Our customers talk about how fans are the 16th man when it comes to big competitions and this is our way of getting behind the home side and having a bit of a giggle with it.
“The Hakarena video acknowledges the shear might of the reigning champions, New Zealand, and takes a typically English, self-deprecating look at what our version of the legendary Haka might be.”
“We want to see men and women doing the #Hakarena while the world celebrates one of sport’s most exciting tournaments!”
Matt Dawson said: “I thought my professional dancing career was over when I was runner-up in Strictly back in 2006, but as you can see I've still got a few killer moves left.
"I've taken a fair bit of ribbing from my old England team-mates about the Hakarena but I think there may be a bit of jealousy involved.
"I think England have got a good chance in the forthcoming World Cup but I wouldn't recommend they perform this routine before their games."
Marcus Bailey, 22, captain and hooker of Battersea Ironsides RFC, who performed the Hakarena with Matt, said: "We responded to a request on social media to get involved and it was great fun.
"A choreographer came down and showed us the moves and we all picked them up pretty quickly. We were all up for it and had it down in about 15 minutes.
"It was a bit of a departure from our usual training sessions but it was a real laugh and great to work with Matt."
Jacamo provides clothing for all men from S to 5XL, whether they’re a prop, hooker, flanker or Matt’s favourite, scrum half.
Performing the Hakarena is simple and requires four steps consisting of arm slaps, legs slaps, chest slaps and a hip wriggle to the specially created music track.
The Hakarena video can be found on Jacamo’s social media channels @Jacamo and www.facebook.com/jacamoUK.
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For more information or images please contact [email protected] or 0161 238 2906.
About Jacamo
With over nine year’s expertise in menswear fit and fashion, Jacamo, part of the N Brown Group, caters for 500,000 customers. They refuse to adopt a ‘one size fits all’ approach, instead focusing on clothes that fit and flatter, making shopping for fashion easy and enjoyable - regardless of size or shape. Jacamo has collections in an extensive size range with clothing from S to 5XL and shoes from three to 16. www.jacamo.co.uk.
About Battersea Ironsides
After an unprecedented success in the 2014/2015 season, winning the Surrey One League, the RFU Junior Vase at Twickenham, and the Surrey Shield at Esher, Battersea Ironsides are now setting their sights on the London South West 3 league, beginning with their first fixture against Farnham this Saturday 19th September.
Battersea Ironsides are fully committed to supporting the 2015 Rugby World Cup and would like to welcome everyone to watch the games at the clubhouse in Earlsfield. Further information available via the website: www.ironsidesrugby.com, Twitter: @ironsidesrugall https://twitter.com/IronsidesRugAll/status/641242726818795521 or follow the Senior Team on @IronsidesRugSnr for the Senior Team updates.
