by Joe Marler left the England squad preparing for Saturday’s opening game of autumn internationals against New Zealand for personal reasons earlier in the week, before sparking a major backlash in New Zealand by calling for the haka to be abolished.
The Guardian understands that Marler arrived at England’s training base in Bagshot on Sunday evening but informed head coach Steve Borthwick and a core group of senior players of his decision to leave the camp. He did this before Borthwick announced his team for the match against New Zealand and Marler’s motivations are not believed to have been due to the selection. Borthwick is said to agree with Marler’s decision.
Marler has won 95 caps for England and it is now unclear whether he will win any more caps. The 34-year-old loose-head pro will no longer be taking part in training this week and is taking a “day-to-day” approach as he has returned home to his wife Daisy and four children. It remains to be determined whether he will play a further role in England’s autumn season with games against Australia, South Africa and Japan following the All Blacks game.
England do not call up a replacement this week, with Ellis Genge starting at loose-head support and Marler’s Harlequins team-mate Fin Baxter providing cover from the bench. However, Borthwick is understood to be ready to do so when the squad gets back together on Sunday All Blacks match up.
Marler has spoken openly in the past about his difficulties spending long periods of time in the camp away from his family. He abandoned a tour to Australia in 2016 and officially retired from international duty in 2018, before reversing that decision and appearing at the 2019 World Cup.
On Tuesday, after he had already left camp and four days before England took on the All Blacks, Marler wrote on social media: “The haka is ridiculous, it needs to be sorted out,” in another post focused on rugby League test between England and Samoa last Sunday, he added: “It will only be of any use if the teams actually respond to it with an answer.” Like that [rugby] League guys did it last week.”
Marler temporarily disabled his account on X before returning and adding: “Context is everything. I’m just having a bit of fun generating interest in a mega rugby game. Some wild answers. Big love x.” He continued: “Also needed to satisfy my narcissism.”
His provocative criticism of the haka was met with strong reactions in New Zealand. Politician David Seymour, leader of the ACT Party, said: “I love the haka. It wouldn’t be the All Blacks if they didn’t do the haka. Who is this Joe Marler I’ve never heard of? Well, in my experience, I have met a few props with very high IQs, but very few of them. So there could be something in that area.”
Marler has a history of controversy over the haka and at the 2019 World Cup, England were fined £2,000 for breaching tournament rules “related to cultural challenges” by crossing the halfway line in the build-up to the semi-final victory crossed blacks.
Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira chief executive Helmut Modlik told Stuff: “For those who know nothing about the haka and may speak ill of these cultural icons, it would come from ignorance and would be poorly judged.” Remember that while the haka is part of a sporting spectacle, it is a cultural taonga, a treasure given to the NZRU to perform respectfully, which they are now doing.”
Marler last appeared for England on the summer tour of Japan and New Zealand, but suffered a broken foot at the start of the first Test against the All Blacks. He has worked himself back to fitness and played without a substitute for the first time this season against Saracens this month, taking part in the warm-weather training camp in Girona last week.
He was persuaded by Borthwick to make himself available for last year’s World Cup after not previously appearing for England since the 2022 Six Nations, but when discussing his decision to return to the national team it was clear that he took a lot of convincing.
Genge missed the summer tour of Japan and New Zealand with a calf injury but has impressed for Bristol this season, while Baxter has continued his upward trajectory, citing Marler’s mentorship earlier this season as a key role in his development.
Asked about his loose-head options this week, Borthwick said: “It’s another position where we have a lot of quality. I’m glad Ellis is back. He is a world-class player and was in excellent shape. He wanted to be in Japan and New Zealand in the summer, it was a forced break and he made really good use of it. Fin Baxter, his rise last season and into the Test arena in the summer and watching what he has done for his club this season – I think you will agree that he is playing really well. “I’m looking forward to seeing both of these guys go this weekend.” – Guardian
