"Squared up during the Haka" – Tana Umaga: All Blacks legend talks Richard Cockerill's Haka response after Joe Marler comments
10/31/2024 09:59 AM
Joe Marler’s comments regarding the want to bin the Haka, unless the opposition team faces up with a response, has garnered plenty of reaction across the rugby landscape. The latest to pass comment upon the England prop’s statement is Tana Umaga, as the legendary former All Black recalled Richard Cockerill’s response to the Haka in 1997.
Umaga expressed how he felt, when he saw Cockerill ‘disrespect’ the Haka ahead of the final game of New Zealand’s 1997 tour of the UK and Ireland. The image of Cockerill squaring up to All Blacks hooker Norm Hewitt lives long in the storied rivalry between New Zealand and England, with the latest chapter set to be written in the history books this Saturday at the Allianz Stadium.
Speaking to Prime Casino, Umaga expressed how Cockerill’s actions only fuelled the fire for future battles against England.
“I loved playing England because I always wanted to beat them. They were one of the teams that I really got up for and I probably played some of my best games against them. I was always motivated.
“It goes back to the time in 1997 when I toured there. In the last game of the tour Richard Cockerill and Norman Hewitt, the two hookers squared up during the Haka. I was sitting on the sideline not playing.
“I watched as they went nose to nose. Being a proud All Black and fan and being part of it, to know the Haka means to us, to see Cockerill up in his face taking the challenge and showing disrespect, ever since then I have been really motivated against England.”
The post “Squared up during the Haka” – Tana Umaga: All Blacks legend talks Richard Cockerill’s Haka response after Joe Marler comments appeared first on Ruck.
