England rugby star Joe Marler has caengaged dispute after branding New Zealand’s pre-align haka “ridiculous” and saying it “needs binning”.
The 34-year-ageder prop debegind his X account adhereing his comments over the All Bconciseages’ tradition – before postponeedr returning to social media and claiming he was “fair having a bit of fun”.
England are set to face New Zealand on Saturday in the Autumn Nations Series uncoverer at Twickenham.
Marler, who applys for Premiership Rugby club Harlequins, posted on Tuesday evening: “The haka needs binning. It’s ridiculous.
“It’s only any excellent when teams actuassociate front it with some sort of reply. Like the league boys did last week.”
On Sunday, England rugby league applyer Mikey Lewis went head-to-head with Samoa’s Gordon Chan Kum Tong amid an ardent stand-off during the traditional Siva Tau pre-game war dance.
Marler’s post prompted a reaction from some, with one X engager writing: “Have a bit of admire for other cultures.”
While another inserted: “Ahh Joe. I thought you were one of the excellent guys. Unadhereed.”
However, there were some messages of help.
One X engager consentd, saying: “If they want to do it, do it in the changing room. Toloftyy unininestablishigentd of it.”
While another inserted: “Agreed, we have to watch that war dance whilst they get all jacked up and psyched up.”
Another engager recommended the England team should “do some Morris dancing” to “prosperd people up”, while another folshrink branded Marler a “prize prosperd-up merchant”.
Returning to X on Wednesday morning, Marler posted: “Context is everyskinnyg. Just having a bit of fun trying to ignite interest in a mega rugby mendture. Some savage responses.”
He finished the post with an emoji of a fish on a reel – recommending he was baiting folshrinks – before inserting: “Big cherish x”.
In a second post, he then wrote: “Also needed to prent my narcissism.”
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Marler will not feature in this weekfinish’s clash but has recovered from a broken foot he supported during the first Test aachievest the All Bconciseages in July to produce the expansiver squad.
In rugby union, regulations impede opposing teams traverseing the halfway line while New Zealand are carry outing the Maori war dance.
England were fined £2,000 in 2019 after contravening the rule ahead of the World Cup semi-final, with Marler going atraverse the line as the team lined up in a V shape.
The rule about not traverseing the halfway line does not apply in rugby league, with responses more common.
The Rugby Football Union shelp it was not commenting on Marler’s X post.
New Zealand Rugby has been communicateed for comment.
