England advances on haka against All Blacks

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England advances on haka against All *******

After all the drama this week about the haka, the All ******* broke the law at Twickenham.

England prop Joe Marler reignited an old debate when he wrote on social media this week that New Zealand’s haka – their Maori pre-match challenge since 1888 – was “ridiculous” and should be “binned”.

Marler, sidelined from the match against New Zealand, was fishing for controversy and got it. He apologised two days later but All ******* captain Scott Barrett said the culturally insensitive comments “loaded the ****”.

England captain Jamie George promised a reaction to the haka – facing it for the third time this year but first time at home – and duly delivered.

George led England’s lineup to the halfway line to the delight of a packed Twickenham crowd, and no further. World Rugby’s “cultural challenges” law forbids it.

The All ******* advanced the haka past their 10m line to within at least five meters of England. That’s not allowed but Twickenham applauded it.

George was satisfied.

“It was something I had been thinking about for a couple of weeks,” George said after New Zealand won 24-22. “I spoke with the senior players, I spoke with Steve (Borthwick, coach) and it wasn’t a reaction to Joe.

“I had actually spoken to Joe about the possibility of doing it and he enjoys putting things on social media so that was how that went. I was very thankful for Joe for that, I told him that today. But in terms of a response to the haka, we always wanted to do it in a very respectful way.

“I saw a smile on Scott Barrett’s face, I was smiling, and it was done in good spirits. I thought the atmosphere was electric. New Zealand advancing as well, I think that just adds to the theatre, adds to the spectacle, and I think everyone at the Allianz Stadium massively enjoyed the atmosphere.”

Barrett was pleased, too.

“We expected a strong challenge, even before the whistle,” he said. “It was great and you can certainly feel the atmosphere. It was a special moment.”

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#England #advances #haka #*******

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