1
English football star mocks haka as World Rugby makes epic fail
By Online Editors
NZ Herald
English football legend Gary Lineker took shots at the haka after the All Blacks dominant performance against Canada last night, but it's World Rugby's response on Twitter that has punters scratching their heads.
After the All Blacks performed the haka before their 63-0 demolition of Canada, Lineker tweeted: "Must be so hard not to just laugh at this if you're the opposition."
The official Rugby World Cup account then attempted a takedown of the famous footballer, writing: "But they have won the World Cup three times...one would be nice eh?"
Which would be a fair comment if England hadn't taken the Webb Ellis Trophy but as anyone with a passing interest in rugby will tell you, they have.
England took out the prize in 2003, beating Australia after they defeated the All Blacks in the semifinal.
Twitter users were quick to leap on the embarrassing mistake, with one man writing: "Is the work experience lad in charge of the official Rugby World Cup twitter feed today?"
More criticism was levelled at Lineker's original tone-deaf tweet, including from media commentator Piers Morgan, an ardent Arsenal supporter, who took a swipe at Lineker's former club Tottenham Hotspur.
"The Haka is one of the greatest spectacles in sport, and of huge cultural importance in New Zealand," Morgan wrote. "Weird that you would mock it."
One user said: "I'd delete this one Gary, if you don't understand the culture behind it… this can be seen as disrespectful."
Another commented: "The fact that Lineker doesn't see this post as racist is frightening. Hang your head in shame Gary."
Lineker replied to the criticism, writing: "Just a bit bored by it now. How would a dance in anyway intimidate a sportsman. Their rugby ability is another matter entirely but the Haka.... nah."
Lineker failed to win the football World Cup in either of his two appearances in 1986 and 1990, though he did win the Golden Boot for most goals in 1986.
This article first appeared on the NZ Herald and is re-published with permission here
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Ex-Scotland captain and British & Irish Lions star Laidlaw dies
3
Exeter Chiefs confirm latest Heaven sent arrival
4
Ex-Leicester Tigers CEO points out obvious choice for next head coach
5
Latest Comments
We’re only now reaching the first stage in rugby - as some of the top coaches in the game like Graham Henry, Eddie Jones, Warren Gatland, Steve Hansen etc are all in their mid sixties, or more. It is the first time in the pro era this has happened, hence unexplored territory.
My guess is that rugby will learn to value the IP stored in such ppl, just as it will learn to value the contributions of ppl outside the game looking in - pretty much the message of Bill James and Moneyball!
Go to comments1] Who knows? Was he thinking that far ahead? It does imply a committment to Tonga, and we don’t want players to ‘transfer. between nations as frequently as they do clubs!
2] Yes I recognize that, which does beg the question whether the current rules will really help Tonga and Samoa achieve tier one status.
3] I think it would be fair to bring the stand-down into line with residency at 5 years.
Go to comments