by England rugby star Joe Marler has caused controversy after branding New Zealand’s pre-match haka “ridiculous” and saying it “needs to be sorted out”.
The 34-year-old prop deactivated his
England is just around the corner New Zealand on Saturday at the Autumn Nations Series opener at Twickenham.
Marler, who plays for Premiership rugby club Harlequins, posted on Tuesday evening: “The haka needs to be sorted out. This is ridiculous.”
“It will only be of any use if the teams actually give an answer to it. Just like the guys in the league did last week.”
On Sunday, England rugby league player Mikey Lewis went head-to-head with Samoa’s Gordon Chan Kum Tong during an intense confrontation during the traditional pre-match Siva Tau war dance.
Marler’s post sparked backlash from some, with one X user writing: “Have a little respect for other cultures.”
While another added: “Ahh Joe. I thought you were one of the good ones. Not pursued.”
However, there were some messages of support.
One X user agreed, saying: “If they want to do it, they do it in the locker room. Totally bored with it.”
While another added: “Agreed, we gotta watch this war dance while they’re all hyped up and hyped up.”
Another user suggested that the England team should “do a bit of Morris dancing” to “loose people up”, while another follower branded Marler a “price wind-up dealer”.
Returning to X on Wednesday morning, Marler wrote: “Context is everything. I’m just having a bit of fun generating interest in a Mega.” rugby Device. Some wild reactions.”
He ended the post with an emoji of a fish on a reel – suggesting he was attracting followers – and then added: “Big love x.”
Then, in a second post, he wrote: “Needed too to satisfy my narcissism.”
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Marler will not feature in this weekend’s clash but has recovered from a broken foot suffered in the first Test against the All Blacks in July and is now in the larger squad.
In rugby union, regulations prevent opposing teams from crossing the halfway line while New Zealand performs the Maori war dance.
England were fined £2,000 in 2019 for breaking the rule before the World Cup semi-final, with Marler crossing the finish line as the team lined up in a V-shape.
The rule not to cross the halfway line does not apply in rugby league, where reactions occur more often.
The Rugby Football Union said it had not commented on Marler’s X post.
New Zealand Rugby has been contacted for comment.
