Jamie George says he ‘certainly doesn’t agree’ with Joe Marler over the haka (Picture: Getty)
England captain Jamie George has responded after Joe Marler called for the haka to be ‘binned’, insisting he ‘loves’ the iconic cultural tradition and the added ‘theatre’ that it brings to rugby union.
Marler’s controversial comments came after an incident in rugby league involving England’s Mikey Lewis and Gordon Chan Kum Tong, which saw the two players butt heads during Samoa’s version of the haka, called the Siva Tau.
Opposition players are usually inclined to keep a distance and respect the ceremonial dances of New Zealand, Samoa, Tonga and Fiji prior to matches and Lewis’ reaction proved contentious among supporters of both league and union.
Marler, capped 95 times by England’s rugby union team, was unequivocal with his response, though, calling for the ‘ridiculous’ tradition to be scrapped ahead of this weekend’s eagerly anticipated clash with the All Blacks at Twickenham.
‘The haka needs binning. It’s ridiculous,’ the veteran England prop wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
‘It’s only any good when teams actually front it with some sort of reply. Like the league boys did last week.’
In a later post, Marler added: ‘Context is everything. Just having a bit of fun trying to spark interest in a mega rugby fixture. Some wild responses. Big Love.’
The England prop forward called for the All Blacks’ haka to be ‘binned’ (Picture: Getty)
Speaking to Sky Sports about Marler’s comments, England skipper George stressed that he ‘certainly’ didn’t agree given he was a ‘massive fan’ of the haka and had been since childhood.
‘I’m just really grateful to Joe and his loud mouth on social media, it’s fantastic. That’s been the stem of the questions from the media this week,’ the England and Saracens hooker said.
‘Joe and I don’t always agree on everything and we certainly don’t agree on this. I’m a massive fan of the haka.’
‘Growing up a huge rugby fan, I loved it when I was growing up, I’ve loved the opportunity to face it, I love the theatre that it brings, I love the reaction from the fans. I’m a massive fan.’
Marler’s comments proved controversial with fans of both union and league (Picture: Getty)
Asked whether opponents had the right to respond, George replied: ‘I think as long as it’s done in a respectful way.
‘I think that’s something that adds to the theatre and the spectacle of it all.
‘It’s a challenge that’s been laid down. How you respond to it I think it then up to you, as long as you do it in the right way.’
The haka is a ‘brilliant part of rugby’, according to England assistant Sinfield (Picture: Getty)
England assistant coach Kevin Sinfield echoed George’s comments about the tradition, telling Sky Sports: ‘I love the haka. I was fortunate enough to face it as a player and fortunate enough in the summer to face it as a coach.
‘I think it’s a brilliant part of rugby, a brilliant part of professional sport. People like to see it and it represents their …read more
Source:: Metro
