Joe Marler Winds Up All Blacks Fans with Brutal Haka Disrespect Before England Showdown
10/29/2024 03:54 PM
England is all set for another showdown with New Zealand as they kick off their Autumn Nations Series at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium this Saturday.
With two close defeats from the summer tests fresh in memory, the English side is looking to finally get the job done on home turf.
Marler Throws Down on the Haka
The drama began heating up well before kickoff when England prop Joe Marler took to X to share his thoughts on the iconic Haka.
“The Haka needs binning. It's ridiculous,” he posted, adding, "It's only any good when teams actually front it with some sort of reply. Like the league boys did last week."
His comments sparked a storm among fans. One user fired back: "Talk about disrespect. Joe Marler is a clown." Another chimed in, "Problem is that the Kiwis get very precious if you stand up to it." A third suggested, "England should Morris dance in reply," while one critic went personal, "It has a hell of a lot more meaning than a mohawk does – that's what's ridiculous."
England's Haka Fine Flashback
This isn't England's first haka face-off. They were famously fined £2,000 at the 2019 Rugby World Cup when Marler and others crossed the halfway line during New Zealand's pre-game ritual, a breach of World Rugby's "cultural challenge" rules. Referee Nigel Owens even had to steer several players back to avoid escalation.
Despite the fine, New Zealand's then-head coach Steve Hansen had praise for England's defiant spirit, saying, "If you understand the haka, it requires a response… I thought it was brilliant – quite imaginative too."
Will Marler's words fuel the fire, or will England let the rugby do the talking?
"Best scrummager of all-time" – Joe Marler picks his dream team
A Lions tourist during the 2017 series in New Zealand, the Eastbourne-born prop gained international honours at every age-grade level before going on to earn his senior England debut in 2012, with 71 caps to date.
Marler’s cheeky selection features seven All Blacks legends in his team, with three from Ireland, two Welsh, two Australians and a Fijian nicknamed ‘The Bus’.
FRONT-ROW
1. Tony Woodcock (New Zealand)
2. Rory Best (Ireland)
3. Carl Hayman (New Zealand)
SECOND-ROW
4. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)
5. Paul O’Connell (Ireland)
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