England confronted the All Blacks’ haka head on ahead of their stunning 19-7 Rugby World Cup semi-final win – now it looks set to hit them in the hip-pocket as a monetary fine looms.
The dramatic incident played out after a suggestion by England’s star playmaker Owen Farrell, who thought his side should face the Kiwis’ fearsome war dance in a V formation at Yokohama International Stadium.
In the video above: England advance on the haka
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“We wanted to not just stand there and let them come at us,” Farrell said after the match.
“We wanted to keep a respectful distance but we didn’t want to just stand in a flat line and let them come at us.”
Farrell and his teammates certainly weren’t taking a backward step as the New Zealanders laid down their challenge, and some even went too far with their confronting tactic, overstepping the mark as they advanced towards the haka on the edges of the V formation.
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Joe Marler, Billy Vunipola, Mark Wilson, Elliot Daly, Luke Cowan‑Dickie and Ben Youngs all appeared to be standing over the halfway line during the haka – forcing the referees to get involved.
Most were also within 10 metres of the war dance as it was being performed, in contravention of World Rugby rules.
According to The Guardian, World Rugby will be considering punishing the side for breaching the “cultural ritual protocol”.
The likelihood of a fine looms large after France were slapped with a AU$4700 sanction for advancing on the haka in the 2011 World Cup final.
France advance on the Kiwi haka before the 2011 Credit: Getty
On that occasion, France lined up in an arrow shape and moved within five metres of the Kiwi haka, in a move that was considered to be in breach of the protocol.
A similar fine this time around would be a drop in the ocean for England rugby’s governing body, who will pay out the 31-man squad more than £7 million (AU$13 million) if the team wins the final.
Former England international Stuart Barnes was seething upon learning of the possibility of a fine for Eddie Jones’ side.
England’s response to the haka was so powerful, match officials even had to get involved. Credit: Spark Sport
England don’t look impressed as they watch the haka. Credit: AAP
“England should shove any fine up the appropriate bottoms,” Barnes tweeted.
“If NZ has the right to the Haka, opposing teams have a right to counter it as they wish (within reason).
“England were within reason. Let every team have their own dance pre-game, Michael Jackson, or a bob shuffle. Farcical.”
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England star Mako Vunipola said his teammate Joe Marler was confused as he advanced within 10 metres of the haka.
“(Joe Marler) said he got confused,” Vunipola said.
“He thought he was supposed to go all the way around it and go to their 10. But because of that, he’s the one who has to pay the fine. He dishes it out a lot so the boys would be more than happy if he has to pay it.”
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It was a risky move from England, just one week after Irish fans sung The Fields of Athenry during the haka, in the moments before the All Blacks destroyed Ireland 46-14.
However on this occasion, the confronting response paid off perfectly, with England scoring via Manu Tuilagi within two minutes of the match starting, laying the platform for a momentous World Cup win.
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