Ellis Genge reveals England will resolve on potential problem to the haka after Joe Marler sparked a storm by calling for New Zealand’s ‘ridiculous’ pre-match ritual to be ‘binned’

Ellis Genge has revealed England will decide on a potential challenge to the haka after Joe Marler called for New Zealand’s pre-match ritual to be ‘binned’.

Marler has since issued an apology, insisting he ‘meant no malice’, but came under fire this week after labelling the haka ‘ridiculous’ on social media. The prop also admitted his post was ‘s***house’ and that he ‘should have done better’.

But captain Jamie George believes Marler may have already antagonised the All Blacks ahead of today’s showdown and has looked to lower simmering tensions alongside coach Kevin Sinfield, with both declaring their admiration for the haka.

Sinfield believes current World Rugby rules on responding to the haka are ‘rightly so’.

The war dance will once again be on display at Allianz Stadium at the start of the Autumn Nations Series and Genge says England are plotting a potential rebuttal.    

England are plotting a potential challenge to the haka, New Zealand’s pre-match ritual

Joe Marler called for the war dance to be ‘binned’ before issuing an apology on social media

‘We’ll chat about it later on, we’ve got a meeting and we’ll see what the craic is,’ said Genge. ‘We’re not going to start climbing on each other’s shoulders, but we’ll sit there respectfully and watch it. I’ve only faced it once [in 2022]. 

‘It’s massive in the history of the game. Most people who aren’t necessarily too interested in rugby still know what the haka is.

‘It’s a massive part of rugby in general. I know some people are divided on it but I quite like it. It’s a bit of a challenge. I’m a big fan of it.

‘Are you not allowed to advance towards it anyway? I don’t know the ruling on it. It’s a good part of the game and I don’t think we should get rid of it.

‘I think you should be able to respond but everyone is respectful when they do. I don’t think we have seen anyone take the Michael, so to speak.

‘I quite like the impact it has, but it’s a challenge isn’t it? Obviously we want Twickenham on their feet regardless of whether there’s a haka or not. 

‘I’m sure they will impact it in their own way.’

Addressing the controversy around Marler’s criticism, George told Sky Sports: ‘Joe [Marler] and I don’t always agree on everything and we certainly don’t agree on this. I’m a massive fan of the haka. 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.

‘I think as long as it’s [a response] done in a respectful way, that’s something that adds to the theatre and spectacle of it all. It’s a challenge that’s been laid down, so how you respond is then up to you as long as you do it in the right way.

Ellis Genge shared his respect for the haka, describing it as a ‘massive part’ of rugby

World Rugby rules limit how close opposing teams can be when facing the haka

‘Terrifying is the wrong word. I love it. 

‘There are two ways to think of it, you can be terrified or you can stand up tall and think, “how amazing is this” and take yourself back to telling seven-year-old you that you’re stood there facing the haka in front of 82,000 people. 

‘There’s no feeling like it.’