The stage is set for a captivating clash between rugby powerhouses England and New Zealand this Saturday at Twickenham, but tensions are already running high off the pitch. All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has come out swinging in defense of his team’s iconic haka ritual after England prop Joe Marler called it “ridiculous” on social media earlier this week.
Marler’s Controversial Comments Spark Backlash
The pre-match drama began when Marler, known for his outspoken nature, took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his thoughts on the haka, a ceremonial Maori dance performed by the All Blacks before each game:
The Haka needs binning. It’s ridiculous. It’s only any good when teams actually front it with some sort of reply. Like the [rugby] league boys did last week.
Joe Marler, England Rugby Prop
Marler’s comments quickly drew criticism from fans and pundits alike, with many accusing him of disrespecting New Zealand’s cultural heritage. The prop later attempted to clarify his stance, saying he was “just having a bit of fun” and that “context is everything.” However, the damage was already done.
Robertson: Haka is “Part of Who We Are”
Unsurprisingly, All Blacks coach Scott Robertson did not take kindly to Marler’s jibe. In a press conference on Thursday, Robertson offered a stern rebuke of the Englishman’s comments:
Look, the Haka for us, it’s a custom, it’s part of who we are. It’s our DNA, it’s, you know, you can welcome somebody. It’s for occasions for joy, for connection, and also for challenge.
Scott Robertson, All Blacks Head Coach
Robertson went on to emphasize the haka’s significance not just to the All Blacks, but to New Zealand as a whole:
It’s a great tradition of rugby as all, Pacific nations do beforehand just to honour where they’ve come from. So not just about the All Blacks about [but] us as a country, so it means a lot to us.
Scott Robertson, All Blacks Head Coach
Cane: Marler Knew “Exactly What He Was Doing”
All Blacks captain Sam Cane also weighed in on the controversy, suggesting that Marler’s comments were a deliberate attempt to stir the pot ahead of Saturday’s clash:
I think Joe Marler knew exactly what he was doing by throwing that out there. But to us, the Haka, it’s something traditional. In New Zealand when we perform a Haka to someone it’s a sign of respect.
Sam Cane, All Blacks Captain
Cane went on to explain that the haka is not just a pre-match ritual, but a deeply ingrained part of Maori culture that is performed at various important occasions:
It’s performed at 21st [birthdays], at weddings. It’s laying down a challenge and that’s up to the opposition how they would like to perceive that challenge, but to us it’s a sign of respect.
Sam Cane, All Blacks Captain
Extra Spice Added to Blockbuster Clash
While Marler himself won’t be on the pitch come Saturday, having withdrawn from the England squad earlier this week for personal reasons, his comments have undoubtedly added some extra spice to what was already shaping up as a mouth-watering encounter.
Both sides have struggled for form in recent times, with England winning just two of their last six matches and the All Blacks suffering defeats to South Africa (twice) and Argentina in 2022. As such, both teams will be desperate to make a statement this weekend.
For the All Blacks, the match marks the beginning of a grueling northern hemisphere tour that will see them face Ireland and France after England. Captain Cane acknowledged the scale of the challenge ahead:
We’ve been on a few northern tours, in our time now between Jordie [Barrett] and I, and I’d say this is as tough a schedule as we’ve had. But at the same time, it’s pretty exciting. To test ourselves out and it’s a pretty big one to start.
Sam Cane, All Blacks Captain
A Timely Reminder of Rugby’s Cultural Tapestry
Controversy aside, the haka debate has served as a timely reminder of the rich cultural tapestry that makes rugby such a special sport. From the haka to Fiji’s cibi and Samoa’s siva tau, the pre-match rituals of Pacific Island nations are an integral part of the game’s global appeal.
As fans around the world tune in to watch England and New Zealand do battle this weekend, they will be treated not just to a fierce sporting contest, but a celebration of the diverse cultures and traditions that make rugby so much more than just a game.
And when the All Blacks line up to perform the haka at Twickenham, they will do so not just as a team, but as representatives of a proud nation and its rich heritage. It’s a responsibility they carry with immense pride, and one that no amount of criticism from the likes of Joe Marler can diminish.
