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The Scott Barrett verdict on Joe Marler's haka apology
By PA
New Zealand captain Scott Barrett has warned England that Joe Marler has “loaded the gun” through his inflammatory comments on the haka. Marler has riled the All Blacks ahead of Saturday’s clash at Allianz Stadium by using social media to call for the pre-match Maori war dance to be “binned”, adding that it was “ridiculous”.
The veteran prop, who is not involved in the autumn opener for personal reasons, has since apologised for the remarks, but Barrett suggested that the damage had already been done. “He has probably loaded the gun, hasn’t he?” the second row said after New Zealand’s final training session on Friday.
“I guess there 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 are considering what their response will be – if any – when the haka is performed in the first of four Tests at Twickenham this month. “In those moments, whatever the team brings and you end up facing, you love it,” he said.
“If they walk forward it means they are up for the first whistle. If that happens, we know we are in for a good Test match. We don’t need any extra motivation heading to Twickenham against a team that would desperately love to beat us so we have got to respect what is coming.”
There have been only two Tests between the rivals in London over the last decade, giving Saturday’s clash scarcity value. The All Blacks won their summer series 2-0 but the collisions in Dunedin and Auckland were hard fought, with only eight points separating the sides across both games.
“England haven’t had a Test match since they played us in July so they will have that stone in their shoe that they have been carrying for a while and they will be keen to shake that off with a good performance,” Barrett said.
“Up-front they always pose a threat – George Martin, Jamie George, Maro Itoje. They have got a strong connection there. If they get gainline and fast ball for Marcus Smith and the backs they have, you can end up chasing the game. So it’s about controlling the breakdown and getting good ball. It will be an arm wrestle.”
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Yeah agreed I like how Roigard uses his boot and when, I'd be happy to hand him a lot of the game management control people are critical of Dmac for not providing.
Go to commentsVery well said and I can't improve much on your response. No transfer system is perfect, but it is a great system that works. Rugby can learn a lot. However, rugby isn't football. The exact same system won't work, but as a skeleton to build from to suit rugby would work. First of course, leagues, teams and players would have to be rated into a classification of sorts. In the games we have amateur, semi professional, professional, international and world class. That alone is a vast job. Thinking of the countries and various leagues per country etc and how many players currently playing takes on a whole new perspective.
Why I said with soccer so big all around the world, rugby is played also nearly as much in as many countries, why we need a transfer type of system. World Rugby try to grow the sport but in doing so, more and more players gets involved and the system is completely outdated. Doesn't fit the current bill of needs.
Instead of tinkering with the laws and trying to make rugby a copy of rugby league, they should rather focus on what would make the game bigger and better. For any product to sell, you need to advertise that product. Same with rugby. Players need to be recognised or get a chance to be recognised by other clubs. More players would stay in the game instead of leaving and make it a living. How many players have been lost that would have stayed if they could make a living of rugby?
I'm sure a lot of people will have their own opinions on what type of transfer system would work and what wouldn't. I'd love to hear and see such a discussion myself, what people's thoughts are around this. Most of us is only focused on our countries and club teams, but we don't really know much about the struggles players have and sacrifices they have to make etc. With a system in place to advertise them, say 2 transfer windows or something, would help players, especially those who do not get much match time and therefore not much money. Those players could earn extra by being loaned out during those windows.
Like you said, different types of transfer markets will have to be created, in each country and internationally. Compensation would play a role as would taxes, by the club's, the scouts, the managers, the countries etc. No small job and seem impossible, but it's not. TV rights and all sorts of things. A massive job by all accounts.
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