‘Love that’ – Fans react as England walk forward, grin and laugh at New Zealand haka after Joe Marler ‘disrespect’ saga
FANS loved England’s reaction to the New Zealand haka as the two teams met at Twickenham.
The All Blacks are famous for the performing the war dance before games as they attempt to intimidate opponents.
But the England team was not having any of it as the players lined up defiantly on the halfway line.
As the haka started, the Red Roses then walked forward.
Some players even grinned in response to the haka, leading to praise from fans.
One reacted saying: “Love that, Haka met with a step forward and more than a few smiles and laughs. No f***s given.”
Another added: “I’m a passionate @EnglandRugby fan but I love the Haka. But I love the England fans and the England players standing up to it – pure theatre and pure passion #ENGvNZL.”
A third wrote: “100x better fronting a haka.
“England will inevitably get fined for it, but that’s the way to do it.”
Fans inside Twickenham also sang Swing Low, Sweet Chariot while the haka was being performed.
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
It comes days after England prop Joe Marler sparked uproar after calling to ban the haka.
He tweeted: “The haka needs binning. It’s ridiculous.
“It’s only any good when teams actually front it with some sort of reply. Like the league boys did last week.”
Marler was accused of lacking respect and later apologised, admitting he “should have done better at explaining things”.
He took to X again, writing: “Hey rugby fans. Just wanted to jump on here and say sorry to any New Zealand fans I upset with my poorly articulated tweet earlier in the week.
“I meant no malice in asking for it to be binned, just want to see the restrictions lifted to allow for a response without sanction.
“I’m grateful for the education received on how important the haka is to the New Zealand culture and hope others have a better understanding too. Now roll on 3pm on Saturday for a mega rugby occasion. England by six points.”
Autumn Nations Series fixtures
Saturday, November 2
- 3.10pm: England vs New Zealand, Twickenham Stadium
- 5.40pm: Scotland vs Fiji, Murrayfield
Friday, November 8
- 8.10pm: Ireland vs New Zealand, Aviva Stadium
Saturday, November 9
- 3.10pm: England vs Australia, Twickenham
- 5.40pm: Italy vs Argentina, Stadio Friuli
- 8.10pm: France vs Japan, Stade de France
Sunday, November 10
- 1.40pm: Wales vs Fiji, Principality Stadium
- 4.10pm: Scotland vs South Africa, Murrayfield
Friday, November 15
- 8.10pm: Ireland vs Argentina, Aviva Stadium
Saturday, November 16
- 3.10pm: Scotland vs Portugal, Murrayfield
- 5.40pm: England vs South Africa, Twickenham
- 8.10pm: France vs New Zealand, Stade de France
Sunday, November 17
- 1.40pm: Italy vs Georgia, Stadio Luigi Ferraris
- 4.10pm: Wales vs Australia, Principality Stadium
Friday, November 22
- 8.10pm: France vs Argentina, Stade de France
Saturday, November 23
- 3.10pm: Ireland vs Fiji, Aviva Stadium
- 5.40pm: Wales vs South Africa, Principality Stadium
- 8.10pm: Italy vs New Zealand, Allianz Stadium, Turin
Sunday, November 24
- 1.40pm: Scotland vs Australia, Murrayfield
- 4.10pm: England vs Japan, Twickenham
Saturday, November 30
- 3.10pm: Ireland vs Australia, Aviva Stadium