Matt Dawson disappointed by England's reaction to the haka before New Zealand clash

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Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 02/11/2024

- 15:19

Updated: 02/11/2024

- 16:26

Players approached the halfway line as the Kiwis performed their traditional dance

Matt Dawson has admitted he wanted England rugby players to cross the halfway line when New Zealand performed the haka prior to today's match at Twickenham.

Plenty has been said and written about the Maori war dance after Joe Marler, who is missing the match, called for it to be banned.


Marler has since apologised for his comments and insisted he should have articulated them better.

On Saturday, England players walked up to the halfway line - but didn't cross it - as New Zealand laid down their challenge.

England New Zealand

Matt Dawson has admitted he wanted England rugby players to cross the halfway line when New Zealand performed the haka prior to today's match at Twickenham

GETTY

They were previously fined in 2019 after overstepping the mark, while France have also been punished in the past as well.

England players chose to respect the haka but Dawson, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, feels they should have ignored the rules and gone right up to New Zealand players.

"What's the fine? £2,000? Go on England, get over the halfway line and go nose to nose," he said.

"I think we'd all have chipped in a fiver for that!"

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England coach Steve Borthwick was asked about the haka before the game.

Marler's comments have stoked the flames ahead of today's match.

But Borthwick said that England would always respect the haka, saying: "We respect the haka. It is clearly a tradition in rugby but be in no uncertain terms, the players are ready for the challenge and they will accept the challenge, no doubt."

Marler has become public enemy No 1 in New Zealand after his controversial comments.

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He was forced to delete his account X after being hit with a huge backlash, having branded the haka 'ridiculous'.

But he returned to the social media site on Thursday to clarify what he meant and to issue an apology.

"Hey rugby fans. Just wanted to jump on here and say sorry to any New Zealand fans I upset with my poorly articulated tweet earlier in the week," he wrote.

"I meant no malice in asking for it to be binned, just want to see the restrictions lifted to allow for a response without sanction.

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England New Zealand haka

Matt Dawson feels England players should have gone 'nose to nose' with their New Zealand counterparts during the haka

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"How good were the Cockerill/Hewitt [Richard Cockerill and Norm Hewitt], Campese [Australian David Campese], France '07, Tokyo '19 or Samoa vs England rugby league responses? Create some entertaining drama before kick-off.

"My flippant attempt at sparking a debate around it was s***house and I should have done better at explaining things.

"I'm grateful for the education received on how important the haka is to the New Zealand culture and hope others have a better understanding too.

"Now roll on 3pm on Saturday for a mega rugby occasion. England [to win] by six points. I'll get back in my attention seeking box now. Big Love x."

New Zealand Scott Robertson

New Zealand head coach Scott Robertson has defended the Haka after England prop Joe Marler called for it to be scrapped

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As for New Zealand coach Scott Robertson, he opted to defend Marler - instead of piling into the England star.

"I know Joe. I wonder if he wishes he could have articulated himself better on that," he stated.

"It's a great tradition of rugby that all Pacific nations do before to honour where they come from. It means a lot to us. The crowd enjoy it."

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