His choice of terminology has an unpleasant undertone.
His opinion appears to be that the brilliant flair and athleticism of many Polynesian players can also come with an inconsistency that can cost teams.
Even a rugby ignoramus like me could figure that ...
Haden's comments, despite the crudity of the language, raises an issue we prefer to ignore in this age of political correctness.
Different nationalities do exhibit differing generalised characteristics.
Obviously, nationality does not equate with race but it is interesting and enlightening to look at the various influences that shape national characteristics.
We are all of the same DNA, however the cultural and physical attributes that influence national attitudes are vastly different.
Critics would say this topic is taboo. It invites racial stereotyping.
But the reality of attitudinal differences based on nationality are being played out all around us.
The Greek economy is in tatters and the Italian, Spanish and Portuguese are not far behind.
They are criticised by the frugal Germans for their profligate ways.
This divergence in attitudes is likely the result of historical and physical influences.
The Mediterranean climate invites a more laid back attitude to life and leisure.
The German people live in a harsher climate and have a relatively recent memory of currency collapse and economic ruin and what can occur as a result.
Chinese students are generally more studious than their New Zealand counterparts.
This is likely the result of the Confucian culture where study and examination success was the pathway to material wealth and the winning of prized posts in the public sector.
The one-child family policy also invites greater investment in the educational capital of offspring.
Kiwis are obsessed by owning houses and appear more laid back with regards to educational achievement.
For better or worse, academic competitiveness is downplayed in our schools.
If everyone meets the standard, they should all feel good about themselves.
Attitudes to home ownership are likely due to the early European settlers' desire to own land.
That was a key driver of early migration.
Attitudes to education may be the result of an initial shortage of labour to work the land.
This meant formal education was not as prized as in other cultures which had a glut of labour, such as China.
Physical prowess still seems to trump academic achievement in our society.
Americans tend to be more entrepreneurial and outspoken than their New Zealand counterparts.
This is likely due to the more individualistic nature of their historical development.
Maori culture and early European settlers tended to be more communal in earning their livelihood through forestry, mining, farming and fishing.
Historian James Belich described this aspect of our national identity as a "crew culture" that still lingers today.
Australians incline to be more outspoken and brash than New Zealanders.
This is likely the result of greater Irish and Mediterranean influences on their country.
Both cultures have a strong tradition of oratory. The Japanese are legendary savers.
This may be due to cultural influences that eschewed conspicuous consumption.
The need to rebuild after World War 2 may also be a factor that has led to greater national frugality.
The Dutch are also noted for frugality and being commercially orientated.
This may be due to their lengthy struggle to overthrow Spanish rule.
National survival at that stage was dependent on commercial success.
This led to the Dutch becoming a commercial powerhouse in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Racial stereotyping in its crudest form is offensive.
To deny that generalised physical and attitudinal differences exist between nationalities is to deny reality.
The dictionary definition of racism is "the belief that racial differences determine cultural or social achievement and that one's own race is superior".
On the basis of this definition, Haden's comments could be described as crude but not racist.
Generalisations concerning nationalities are simplistic yet contain an element of truth.
There is nothing inherently wrong in such labelling unless it is used to stereotype individuals or to suggest that the one group is superior to another.
We seem to have descended into an impasse where any mention of generalised characteristics of nationalities is labelled racist.
A more politically correct expression of Haden's sentiments might be that New Zealand rugby teams need a fusion of physical and cultural attributes that a multicultural society such as New Zealand can provide.
• Peter Lyons teaches economics at Saint Peter's College in Epsom.
