The All Blacks' Haka explained - plus rugby's other rituals

We look at history of New Zealand's haka in rugby union; the most memorable haka responses over the decades; and at Fiji's Cibi, Samoa's Siva Tau, Tonga's Sipi Tau; Watch All Blacks face Australia in Sydney on Saturday October 17 (6am) live on Sky Sports Main Event

One of the most intriguing and anticipated moments in the sport of rugby union: the sight of New Zealand's All Blacks performing their world-famous haka as the opposition stands before them.

But how much do you know about the haka? And also of the three other ceremonial war dances which take place in rugby: the Cibi, Siva Tau and Sipi Tau.

An ancient traditional Māori practice, there is no single recorded date for the haka's first-ever performance owing to this very reason. It has been practised by indigenous Māori communities for centuries.

The earliest point at which Europeans witnessed the haka was the 18th century: Joseph Banks and James Cook on their first voyage to New Zealand in 1769 recorded the haka as "vigorous and ferocious".

In terms of its introduction into sport, New Zealand's first rugby union side visited Australia in Sydney in 1884 and performed the haka. During 1888/89, a 'New Zealand native team' toured the UK for the first time, performing the haka on October 3 1888 against Surrey in a tour match.

The year 1905 saw the birth of the 'All Blacks' as they toured Britain with a team which came to be known as 'The Originals.'

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The All Blacks performed their famous "Ka Mate" haka before Tests against Scotland and Wales, with it having been composed in 1820 by Māori chief Te Rauparaha.