The main purpose of the trip was to experience the haka and, at the first line, Ka mate! Ka mate! the announcer in the stand started to tell everybody very loudly over the tannoy, amongst other irrelevancies, that after the game we were all welcome to go over the road to the pavilion for a cup of tea and a scone.

The shouts of "shut up" and other more hostile remarks were ignored and the moment was gone. Needless to say the All Blacks went on to win.

DOUGLAS S BRUCE

Portree

Isle of Skye

There is usually an awkward pause at the end of the All Blacks' haka (what has happened to that grand finale jump?) while the opposition shuffles off for the start of the game. The preliminaries are long enough as it is, but a quick and effective response would be a more satisfactory conclusion to that part of the proceedings.

At Cardiff last week the scowling refusal of the Welsh XV to move off and start the game was at least one idea, though a quick chorus from them of Men of Harlech would have been more rousing.

Many years ago I watched the All Blacks versus a North of Scotland Select at Linksfield, Aberdeen. After the haka came a swift response – a few bars of what sounded like a jaunty war rant from the bagpipes, that great instrument of war.

It was a fantastic moment, entirely appropriate, but I've never heard this again. So why not have a quick blast from the attendant pipe band next time the All Blacks do the haka at Murrayfield?

DIANE MORGAN

Waverley Place

Aberdeen

MacLeod case flaws

With regard to the decision by the SRU to "discontinue" the case involving Scott MacLeod and the alleged high testosterone levels due to his admitted alcohol ingestion, it is interesting to compare the ridicule heaped on Floyd Landis for a similar claim being made to justify a high testosterone reading that resulted in him being stripped of his Tour de France victory. Without for a minute suggesting that Scott MacLeod has been guilty of any doping infringement, this case does illustrate the need for a review of how different sports deal with these issues. A level playing field is necessary.

JOHN HUNTER

Kirkton Schoolhouse

Hawick

In your accounts of the Canadian match, the point is made that there is still a weakness at stand-off. However, playing in the A side, Gordon Ross was singled out for praise in all phases of the game – and he is also a good place kicker. So, was it not an ideal opportunity to see if he is still up to the full level of international competition by making him, rather than Parks, about whom much is already known, the second choice outhalf. The coaches would have learned more from seeing him in the last 20 or 30 minutes than they did from watching a rather insipid display from Parks.

It does seem that there is some sort of bias against Ross among the selectors. I would strongly suggest that they get off their high horses and let this undoubtedly capable half-back have another chance among the big boys where he belongs.

JR HALL

Colinton Grove

Edinburgh