Gordon Chan Kum Tong was screaming in Mikey Lewis’ face during Samoa’s Siva Tau (BBC)
England’s Mikey Lewis went head-to-head with Samoa’s Gordon Chan Kum Tong during one of the most intense Siva Tau’s ever seen.
Samoa performed their traditional pre-game war dance, known as the Siva Tau, in front of a hushed crowd at The Brick Community Stadium in Wigan on Sunday.
But during the routine, Samoa hooker Chan Kum Tong got right in the face of Lewis, who maintained eye contact with his opponent.
Towards the end of the Siva Tau after Chan Kum Tong had screamed in his face, Lewis thrusted his head forward to connect with his rival.
Lewis then nodded and said, ‘Let’s go, let’s go, now’, before the pair separated to huge cheers from the crowd.
Speaking at half time, BBC presenter Tanya Arnold said: ‘Now you have all stood before various versions of the Haka, the Siva Tau, I’ve never seen one get as feisty as this.
‘I’ve never seen them literally in the faces of the opposition.’
Jamie Peacock, the former Bradford Bulls, Leeds Rhinos and England player replied: ‘Yeah, it got a little bit lively as they got closer and closer. I think Mikey Lewis loves this kind of thing.’
Jon Wilkin, who was capped 20 times by England and Great Britain, joked: ‘How good would have been if we had a football incident there? I want to see Mikey Lewis had taken a dive, go down and make the most of it!’
Kevin Brown, another former England international, said: ‘Mikey’s an emotional guy, isn’t he? He plays with his heart on his sleeve. He’s shown it there, when he comes onto the field he’ll be electric, they’ll probably run away from him though.’
England went on to win the game 34-18 with Lewis scoring a try in the second half.
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