HAK-ED OFF
England rugby star Joe Marler slammed as ‘disrespectful’ after calling to BAN ‘ridiculous’ Haka
Joe Marler went on to deactivate his X account before later returning
JOE MARLER has received a backlash for calling to ban the Haka.
The experienced England international, 34, was writing on social media ahead of the Red Roses' match against New Zealand at Twickenham this Saturday.
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Ahead of matches, it is customary for the All Blacks to perform their famous Haka.
The Haka is a culturally significant war dance in Maori tradition.
Marler, however, has claimed that it is "ridiculous" and should be axed.
He wrote on X on Tuesday: "The haka needs binning. It's ridiculous.
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"It's only any good when teams actually front it with some sort of reply. Like the league boys did last week."
Last Sunday, England's rugby league national team faced Samoa in Wigan.
After Samoa performed their traditional Siva Tau pre-match routine, Mikey Lewis found himself head-to-head with Gordon Chan Kum Tong.
Marler received a backlash for his post, with one social user responding: "Have a bit of respect for other cultures."
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Following the responses, Marler temporarily deactivated his X account.
The Harlequins star went on to return on Wednesday morning, posting: "Context is everything. Just having a bit of fun trying to spark interest in a mega rugby fixture. Some wild responses."
All Blacks legend Zinzan Brooke performed a rousing Haka in a Norwich pub
He went on to add in a further post: "Also needed to satisfy my narcissism."
Marler has been recovering from a broken foot sustained in the summer and will not feature in this Saturday's first Autumn International.
He is in the 36-man squad, however, and could be called upon by head coach Steve Borthwick in the coming weeks.
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
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