Joe Marler sparks controversy over Haka comments ahead of New Zealand clash

Joe Marler, the outspoken England prop, stirred controversy ahead of England’s clash with New Zealand on Saturday by calling for the iconic haka to be scrapped.

Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Marler described the pre-match ritual as "ridiculous" and suggested it should be "binned."

Marler, known for his bold opinions, wrote: "The haka needs binning. It's ridiculous." He further added, "It’s only any good when teams actually front it with some sort of reply. Like the league boys did last week," referring to responses seen in rugby league.

His remarks quickly sparked backlash online, leading the 34-year-old to delete his X account soon after.

Although Marler has not been selected for Saturday’s match at Allianz Stadium, with Ellis Genge and Fin Baxter chosen as the loosehead props for the game, he remains part of the 36-man England squad preparing for the Autumn Nations Series opener.

The haka, a traditional Maori war dance, has been an iconic pre-match ritual for New Zealand’s rugby teams for decades. Regulations in rugby union prevent opposing teams from crossing the halfway line while New Zealand performs the haka. In 2019, during the World Cup semi-final, England was fined after contravening this rule, with Marler among the players crossing the line.

Marler's comments reignite debates about how teams respond to the haka. England's memorable V-shaped formation in 2019 remains one of the most talked-about reactions to the ritual.

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has not commented on Marler’s recent social media post, but his remarks have added extra fuel to the build-up of England’s highly anticipated match against the All Blacks this weekend.