LONDON (AP) — After all the drama this week about the haka, the All Blacks broke the law on Saturday at Twickenham.
England prop Joe Marler reignited an old debate when he wrote on social media this week that New Zealand’s haka — its Maori pre-match challenge since 1888 — was “ridiculous” and should be “binned.”
Marler, sidelined from the rugby match against New Zealand, was fishing for controversy and got it. He apologized two days later but All Blacks captain Scott Barrett said the culturally insensitive comments “loaded the gun.”
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 Blacks advanced the haka past their 10-meter 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 theater, 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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