WELLINGTON – New Zealanders have scoffed at English prop Joe Marler’s attempts to stir up controversy before the All Blacks play in London on Nov 2, after he mocked their pre-game haka as “ridiculous”.
Marler took to social media earlier this week to deride the haka dance performed by New Zealand players before each game, saying it “needs binning”.
The haka is a ritual war dance that forms a significant part of indigenous Maori culture, and for decades have been closely associated with New Zealand’s world-beating rugby team.
“The Haka needs binning. It’s ridiculous,” Marler posted on X on Oct 29. “It’s only any good when teams actually front it with some sort of reply.”
At the 2019 World Cup, England were fined for their response to the haka before their semi-final victory over New Zealand.
England’s squad had fanned out across the pitch as the All Blacks performed their routine, with several players contravening World Rugby regulations by crossing the halfway line and standing their ground when officials tried to usher them back.
Although Marler’s comments caused a stir in the English media, many New Zealanders brushed it off as an attention-seeking stunt ahead of their third meeting in 2024, with England having lost 16-15 and 24-17 to the All Blacks during a two-Test tour of New Zealand in July.
“Who is this Joe Marler guy, I’ve never heard of him,” senior government minister David Seymour told reporters.
“In my experience I have met a few props with very high IQ, but very few of them. So it could be something in that area,” added Seymour, who is part Maori.
Maori cultural advisor Mana Epiha told New Zealand media that Marler obviously misunderstood the haka.
He told news website Stuff. “That is not for people to like, it’s for people to tremble in their boots.”
Marler, who was named in Steve Borthwick’s 36-player squad, is not in the team to face the All Blacks at Twickenham and left the England camp for personal reasons a day before his controversial post, which invited a barrage of criticism.
The 34-year-old soon deactivated his X account, but reactivated it the following day, saying that his post was not meant to be taken seriously.
“Just having a bit of fun trying to spark interest in a mega rugby fixture. Some wild responses… Also needed to satisfy my narcissism,” he wrote, alongside a fishing emoji.
Marler, who has been open about his mental health issues in the past, also has a chequered disciplinary history.
In 2016, he called Wales prop Samson Lee “gypsy boy” and in 2020 he was hit with a 10-week ban for grabbing the testicles of Welsh great Alun Wyn Jones.
In 2023, he apologised for insulting an opponent’s mother but said that kind of sledging is “the norm” in rugby. He was handed a two-week ban and an additional four-week ban that was suspended.
Countless critics have called for the haka to be banned over the years, alleging it gave New Zealand players an unfair pre-game edge. AFP, REUTERS
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