It seems it's the week for writing a column about the haka and I wouldn't want to disappoint.

Most of the sport-carrying websites in New Zealand have invited comment on this issue and generally the comments have mirrored the diverse society we live in.

But based on my readings I think it's fair to say the majority of people who have responded feel the UK scribes are wrong.

Before I get into the substantive part of my argument, understand these journalists convey only their own opinion. Sure, that person has the power to write in a nationally-read column, but that doesn't mean his opinion is more, or less correct, than any other single person.

In fact, my experience at rugby matches in the northern hemisphere indicates far more people enjoy the spectacle than wish it would disappear.

But I get the feeling some people are getting so upset about the columns because a fair portion of what is being written strikes a nerve - we know it's true.

Sure, some of the bombast - particularly Frank Keating's "nasty, malignant edge" and the continual reference to Brian O'Driscoll being spear-tackled because of his haka response are simply tools to garner the response it has.

In fact, Keating is probably reading the responses in the New Zealand media and smiling with the satisfaction of a man who had done his job well.

But both Keating and Jim White have, at various points in their columns, nailed the problem with the haka.

White wrote: "The whole point of the ritual is to give the All Blacks commercial and competitive advantage," and he's spot on.

The haka, quite simply, is an indulgence.

Most teams allow it because the fans want it and expect it. But what right does NZ Rugby, the coaches or the players have to dictate where the haka goes in the pre-game rituals and whether a team can respond to it or not, particularly in overseas games?

In fact those very things caused the All Blacks to perform it in the changing rooms last time they played the Welsh at the Millennium Stadium to the detriment of the huge support who wanted to see it.

At the time I regarded it as a decision which reflected a team too full of themselves to understand the advantage many teams give up to allow the All Blacks to motivate themselves seconds before the match kicks off.

Time hasn't mellowed my initial thoughts.

You could argue that opposing teams could respond in their own way, or use the haka as a positive tool for themselves - but when teams have to spend any time thinking about how, or if, they're going to respond to the haka then I think it's gone too far.

It's become a distraction. It's become a tool for people to have a go at the All Blacks because it's hard to criticise their on-field play. And I think that particularly applies to Kapa O Pango.

The throat-slitting argument has been done to death, but even the stop/start nature of the more recent haka gives the build-up a different feel. In fact, I think Kapa O Pango should be ditched permanently for the much better spectacle of Ka Mate.

Many of the arguments for the haka have been based on tradition - and I can appreciate that to a certain level. But tradition plays no part in Kapa O Pango. I've been in New Zealand for longer than the All Blacks have been performing it.

The other issue is respect. No other team has to, or should have to, respect the haka. If the All Blacks want to do it, fine - but don't make the other team take part in some formality they have no vested interest in.

I firmly believe any accusations of disrespect just further my argument that the haka is taken too seriously.

Sure, it's a better spectacle when teams face up to it, but the crowd want to see the All Blacks do the haka, not some response which is guaranteed to be nowhere near as interesting as the haka itself.

Where I do disagree with the English hacks is that I have no desire to see the haka done away with permanently. That will simply deprive the rugby-loving public an opportunity to see something which is a spectacular and spine-tingling sight.

But the whole ritual is starting to overshadow the game and when that happens it's time to step back and have a rethink.

I hope this weekend at Twickenham the All Blacks perform the Ka Mate haka while the English do whatever the heck they want. And as long as the All Blacks stuff the English by 40 points, I'll be happy.

Now some of you may write-off what I have written as the ramblings of a Scot who doesn't understand New Zealand culture, and you perhaps might even reach for the tired "whingeing Pom" cliché, despite my obvious allegiance to both Caledonia and Aotearoa.

But I'd really like to debate the pros and cons of the haka rather than indulging in petty name calling and accusations of bias, so I'd really appreciate it if the comments reflect your thoughts on what I've written rather than my parentage or birth-place!

So let's hear them. . .