England rugby star Joe Marler has triggered controversy after branding New Zealand’s pre-match haka “ridiculous” and saying it “needs binning”.
The 34-year-old prop deactivated his X account following his feedback over the All Blacks’ custom – earlier than later returning to social media and claiming he was “just having a bit of fun”.
England are set to face New Zealand on Saturday within the Autumn Nations Sequence opener at Twickenham.
Picture:
England’s Joe Marler later steered he was baiting followers. Pic: PA
Marler, who performs for Premiership Rugby membership Harlequins, posted on Tuesday night: “The haka needs binning. It’s ridiculous.
“It is solely any good when groups really entrance it with some form of reply. Just like the league boys did final week.”
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On Sunday, England rugby league participant Mikey Lewis went head-to-head with Samoa’s Gordon Chan Kum Tong amid an intense stand-off in the course of the conventional Siva Tau pre-game struggle dance.
Marler’s submit prompted a backlash from some, with one X consumer writing: “Have a bit of respect for other cultures.”
Whereas one other added: “Ahh Joe. I thought you were one of the good guys. Unfollowed.”
Nonetheless, there have been some messages of assist.
One X consumer agreed, saying: “If they want to do it, do it in the changing room. Totally bored of it.”
Whereas one other added: “Agreed, we have to watch that war dance whilst they get all jacked up and psyched up.”
One other consumer steered the England crew ought to “do some Morris dancing” to “wind people up”, whereas one other follower branded Marler a “prize wind-up merchant”.
Returning to X on Wednesday morning, Marler posted: “Context is everything. Just having a bit of fun trying to spark interest in a mega rugby fixture. Some wild responses.”
He ended the submit with an emoji of a fish on a reel – suggesting he was baiting followers – earlier than including: “Big love x”.
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In a second submit, he then wrote: “Also needed to satisfy my narcissism.”
Marler won’t characteristic on this weekend’s conflict however has recovered from a damaged foot he sustained in the course of the first Take a look at in opposition to the All Blacks in July to make the broader squad.
In rugby union, laws forestall opposing groups crossing the midway line whereas New Zealand are performing the Maori struggle dance.
England have been fined £2,000 in 2019 after contravening the rule forward of the World Cup semi-final, with Marler going throughout the road because the crew lined up in a V form.
The rule about not crossing the midway line doesn’t apply in rugby league, with responses extra frequent.
The Rugby Soccer Union mentioned it was not commenting on Marler’s X submit.
New Zealand Rugby has been contacted for remark.
