1
England respond as All Blacks produce fiery haka
By Josh Raisey
The All Blacks' haka this week against England at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium was the most hotly anticipated in many years given everything that transpired in the build-up.
Joe Marler's comments, labelling the haka "ridiculous", would have provided plenty of motivation for the visitors and they delivered quite a spectacle in London.
All Blacks fly-half Beauden Barrett said pre-match how the Englishman had "loaded the gun" with his comments.
"He has probably loaded the gun hasn't he?" the BBC reported Barrett saying.
"I guess there are always opinions about the haka and its place. It's hugely important to us and has been to the All Blacks for a long time - we get a lot from it.
"It's been a huge part of the All Blacks. It's bigger than rugby in a sense. You speak to people from America and lesser-known rugby nations and they know rugby in New Zealand for the haka, so it is huge for us and unites us."
England stood up to the challenge by walking up to the halfway line - but no further - before the All Blacks advanced as well, as the stadium bellowed out 'Swing Low'.
The two sides were not exactly face-to-face come the end, but there were only a couple of metres by the time New Zealand completed Kapa o Pango.
Watch the haka here:
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Initial Immanuel Feyi-Waboso injury update does not sound promising
3
Ex-Wallaby explains why All Blacks aren’t at ‘panic stations’
4
Leinster player ratings vs Connacht | 2024/25 URC
5
Latest Comments
There is a continued murmur in local circles about reciprocal bi annual tours between SA and Argentine. Whether it's full blooded test tours or development tours or a mixture - ie touring with a "test" 20 and a development 20 the cream of which will be used in tests. We actually really enjoy playing the Argies and I believe they enjoy playing us. It goes back seventy years to the Junior Bok tours to Argentine involving Isaac van Heerden.
Go to commentsDon't think you've watched enough. I'll take him over anything I's seen so far. But let's see how the future pans out. I'm quietly confident we have a row of 10's lined uo who would each start in many really good teams.
Go to comments