How would you tackle the haka? © Getty Images

The superb East Terrace blog has long been a source of merriment at Scrum HQ and we are proud of our long-standing relationship with its author James Stafford that allows us to bring you his offside view of the rugby world before anyone else.

Our regular readers will not need reminding that these often hilarious pieces are works of fiction and their usual outrageous tone normally convinces others of that fact after a paragraph or two. But not always - and on those rare occasions we delight in the East Terrace's ability to fool the wider world.

Amongst our favourites are the Welsh Rugby Union's request that we clarify they didn't use canaries to colour their kit back in 2008 and the Rugby Football Union's demand that we stipulate that manager Martin Johnson was not skipping the recent tour to Australia in favour of a family holiday to Disneyland.

Add to these a report in a Spanish newspaper based on our spoof story that the legendary Bill Beaumont was to make a comeback and no end of concerned readers who actually believed referees would be allowed to alter their interpretation of laws mid-match.

And the latest offering from the world-famous East Terrace has caused yet more ripples with our rivals at Sky Sports - and in particular Stuart Barnes - amongst those brought under its spell - see this from Barnes' latest mailbag:

"Stuart, what are your views on the Haka? Apparently New Zealand's forthcoming tour to England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland has left many in the rugby world feeling 'extremely awkward' about how to respond to the All Blacks' famous Haka.

Officials from one Home Union are paying for their entire national squad to have cross-cultural 'etiquette and sensitivity training' to ensure no upset is caused when they entertain the All Blacks this Autumn - I had to check the date to see that it was not the 1st of April. Is it really as ridiculous as it sounds?

STUART REPLIES: PC enters union. I love the Haka and enjoyed facing it but as much as it is a rugby tradition it is also a psychological weapon used to put New Zealand on the front foot and the opposition on the back. If respect has to be shown for this every other country should have the right to a few minutes of their own motivation with New Zealand forced to stand and look on. I think one of the nations should turn their backs as a statement of contempt - not for the Haka but for the idiots who decided the All Black should have an advantage and anyone wasting money on cross cultural etiquette. Hmm, are you having me on with that CCE line?

Keep the questions coming, enjoy the week. Stuart."

Long live the East Terrace!