All Blacks coach hits back at Marler's haka jibe

Scott Robertson took over as New Zealand coach after their defeat in the final of the 2023 Rugby World Cup

Autumn Nations Series: England v New Zealand

Venue: Allianz Stadium, Twickenham Date: Saturday, 2 November Kick-off: 15:10 GMT

Coverage: Listen to live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds, and follow live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app.

New Zealand coach Scott Robertson says England prop Joe Marler could have chosen his words better when he called for the All Blacks' haka to be "binned".

Marler, 34, called the haka – a pre-match ritual challenge - "ridiculous" in a post on X, before deactivating his account, reactivating it and claiming he was "just having a bit of fun trying to spark interest in a mega rugby fixture".

"I know Joe," said Robertson.

"I wonder if he wished he could have articulated himself a little bit better on that.

"The haka for us is a custom - it is part of who we are, it's our DNA. It is not just about the All Blacks, it is about us as a country. It means a lot to us."

Robertson admitted Marler's post was discussed among his players.

"The boys are aware of it," he added.

"We don't use it as such to say, 'this is what has been said and it's disrespectful'. Especially in this regard, because it has happened before. But we will discuss it and decide how we deal with it respectfully."

Marler was criticised by various political and cultural figures in New Zealand, adding to the attention around a tour that will include the latest instalment of the All Blacks' recent, and occasionally heated, rivalry with Ireland.

He apologised on Thursday for his "poorly articulated" post.

England captain Jamie George said he did not share the same view as Marler and "loves the history" of the haka.

"It was always something I enjoyed watching, growing up as a rugby fan," he added.

"Joe and I don't always agree on everything and we disagree on this topic. I guess he's prodded the bear a little bit."

Assistant England coach Kevin Sinfield, who confirmed Marler had left the team camp for personal reasons before posting his initial comments, also did not agree with the Harlequins prop.

"I faced the haka as a player and I faced it as a coach in the summer and both times have been really really special," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"I think it is an important part of this fixture and you will see 82,000 people on Saturday who cannot wait to see it and I will be one of them.

"But the funny thing is, there is all the chat before and afterwards but it is a very little part of what goes on on the field. The players dictate what happens out there."

How teams have responded to the haka

England have history with the haka.

Before a Test at Old Trafford in 1997, home hooker Richard Cockerill stood nose-to-nose with opposite number Norm Hewitt, while England formed an arrowhead shape to receive the haka before beating the All Blacks in the 2019 Rugby World Cup semi-final.

In 2005, British and Irish Lions captain Brian O'Driscoll tore up some grass, throwing the blades in the air in response to the haka in the first Test. Wales also stared down the haka in 2008, refusing to turn first and causing a stand-off.

While both the Lions and Wales were well beaten, France's advance on the haka preceded a famous 20-18 quarter-final win at the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

Rules are now in place preventing either team advancing close to the other. However, it has not stopped the controversy.

South Africa apologised earlier this year after the haka was interrupted by fireworks, music and a pre-match fly-past, saying it was the result of human error on timings rather than a deliberate slight.

Robertson described England's 2019 response as "awesome".

"It is the respect thing isn't it," he said.

"There was a clear meaning behind it and was respectfully done. That's great. That's what we are all about."

Richard Cockerill and Norm Hewitt square up in 1997