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Autumn Nations SeriesEnglandNew Zealand

Scott Robertson and Joe Marler exchange words moments before haka

Scott Robertson and Joe Marler

Despite not being selected for England this week, loosehead Joe Marler took centre stage with his comments regarding the haka.

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There had been much talk as to how the All Blacks would respond to his now-infamous comments on X, but there seemed to be no bad blood between the Englishman and All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson ahead of the match at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium.

The 34-year-old was probably unaware of the onslaught of opprobrium he would face after writing on X this week: “The haka needs binning. It’s ridiculous,” followed up by “It’s only any good when teams actually front it with some sort of reply. Like the league boys did last week.”

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      After deleting his X account, then resurrecting it, Marler apologised on Thursday, writing: “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. 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.

      “How good were the Cockerill/Hewitt, 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**thouse 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 3 pm on Saturday for a mega rugby occasion. England by 6pts I’ll get back in my attention seeking box now.”

      Robertson and Marler were all smiles as the teams warmed up pre-match, sharing a hug.

      England head coach Steve Borthwick distanced himself from the comments pre-match, saying to TNT Sports:  “We respect the Haka, clearly it’s a tradition in rugby. But in no uncertain terms, the players are ready for the challenge, and they’ll accept the challenge no doubt.”

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      Comments

      4 Comments
      S
      SS 156 days ago

      Respect to Marler for apologising. Great personality. Has a point on why competing teams are not allowed to try to get an competitive edge over AB by doing a counter or just being allowed to face off within an allowable distance.

      S
      SS 156 days ago

      The way England pushed him out of the team also says a lot about the culture in the team. Wonder why top assistant coaches are moving out

      J
      JK 156 days ago

      The haka is over-rated....there is plenty of other flakey white fish to be had...wait...

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      Comments on RugbyPass

      A
      Aric Boyer 14 minutes ago
      George Skivington talks up 'relative unknown's England chances

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      From that first call, GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES treated my case like those refugee lives were in their own hands. Their lead investigator explained their approach, tracing transactions through blockchains, monitoring wallet activity, and leveraging relationships with international exchanges. They explained it all in plain terms, never once making me feel dumb for my ignorance. They understood both the technical complexity and the human stakes.

      There were daily progress reports. They followed the laundering path our treasurer had attempted, following the trail through the decentralized exchanges and privacy-focused mixers. Each breakthrough was like a heartbeat resuscitating a stilled chest. On the nineteenth day, they called with the words I had scarcely dared to hope: "We got it back."

      I got down on my knees and wept. $300,000 was safely recovered to our nonprofit wallet. But GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES didn't hesitate. They guided us through implementing enhanced security measures, such as multi-signature wallets, cold storage solutions, and rigorous internal oversight. They even advised us on vetting future financial officers.

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      1 Go to comments
      J
      JW 23 minutes ago
      'Competitive culture': Tana Umaga on what makes Moana Pasifika succeed

      Required consistency for what? Isn’t this topic about being able to put in the effort to back up a win with another one? Do you think they’re playing well enough to go all the way if they can just be consistent or something?

      9 Go to comments
      K
      Koro Teeps 25 minutes ago
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      McMillan has consistency used 2-4 All Blacks as second half impact players in every game this season as well. I think Simon Parker is a very good player as well. Big, abrasive and a worker. Reminds me of Liam Squire.

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      Koro Teeps 27 minutes ago
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      Canes wider squad last year. I’d expect two or three Chiefs props to leave at end of season, hopefully he will replace one on a FT contract. Last years NZU20 prop Will Martin should be another.

      13 Go to comments
      J
      JW 31 minutes ago
      Rugby down under could have hit high gear with Anzac Tests

      Yeah would have to be a Lunch game for NZR to accept Perth as a destination. Would be best for Perth’s Dawn brigade though anyway so thats fine.

      80 Go to comments
      A
      Andrew Nichols 35 minutes ago
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      Thought he was a Canes signing

      13 Go to comments
      M
      Martial Frías Orellana 43 minutes ago
      How New Zealand’s Michaela Brake emulated Michael Jordan in Singapore

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      2 Go to comments
      J
      JW 47 minutes ago
      Rugby down under could have hit high gear with Anzac Tests

      Oh, OK. Nice, some pretty detailed numbers. 3 mil to put on a test aye.


      Yeah I wasn’t saying NZR threw away that much for themselves, just meant in general, for the game. So two million, 1 to NZR and 1 to it’s clubs (sure private business/companies), yeah, I can see where Horan’s coming from now, that’s about 50/50. I can also understand how 1mil might not be enough to make all the other bits worth it, and the clubs might have flat out rejected it (didn’t want 200k).


      Thanks for enlightening me.

      80 Go to comments
      C
      Cantab 47 minutes ago
      'Competitive culture': Tana Umaga on what makes Moana Pasifika succeed

      I was actually querying if they had the required consistency despite recent better form. They may have but still need to continue. At the crossroads really.

      9 Go to comments
      J
      JW 56 minutes ago
      Rugby down under could have hit high gear with Anzac Tests

      Yeah but if the 12million is not actually money, but say Perth saying they’ll put the money into facilities for the Force, and youth programs and fields around the State, along with plenty of other ways they can help RA, and in actually fact were saying the offer to NZR is a very equal one, for a few years, what then would be flawed about the concept?


      Spew has given some very straight forward solutions to possible sticking points (raised by posters anyway), those aren’t changing your mind? A fun break to SR where players can express themselves after a few months of preseason and all the anxiety of the first month of competitive games, in say a match similar to NBA’s All Star games, would be a great idea imo.

      80 Go to comments
      J
      JW 1 hour ago
      Rugby down under could have hit high gear with Anzac Tests

      Oh right, makes sense. So what is the 12 million for then, and why should NZR get a share of it, seen as you’d been saying not getting some of that was why the deal didn’t get over the line right?

      80 Go to comments
      S
      SadersMan 1 hour ago
      How New Zealand’s Michaela Brake emulated Michael Jordan in Singapore

      Crowning an “overall SVNS “Series” Champion based on ONE tourney seriously undermines the efforts of NZL & ARG who have already won the “series” (for some reason now called “leagues”).


      It’s ridiculous. I mean for e.g. the AB7s can win the “overall SVNS Series Championship” after qualifying 7th. Merely by winning the LA tourney. In fact any of the men’s teams on their day, can become the SVNS Series Champion. If the AB7s did win LA, I’m sure they’d be the first to admit embarrassment in calling themselves SVNS “Series” Champions.


      An unbelievably stupid format which must be changed stat.

      2 Go to comments
      J
      Justice Jack 1 hour ago
      Don't get out over your skis on the Highlanders

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      4 Go to comments
      A
      Aric Boyer 1 hour ago
      Don't get out over your skis on the Highlanders

      I Could Hardly Breathe! Months of tireless fundraising had finally come through for my small nonprofit, and we had $300,000 in Bitcoin to supply food, shelter, and medical aid to refugees fleeing war. That fund was hope, a future for families who had no other place to turn. It all fell apart in an instant. Our treasurer, a man I'd trusted like a brother, vanished overnight and took the entire fund with him. I was heartbroken. The weight of the people who were depending on us pressed against my chest. I could hardly breathe. I looked at my screen, powerless to do anything as the blockchain ledger confirmed my worst nightmare, the funds had been moved through a series of wallets, vanished into thin air.

      Sleepless and remorseful, I consulted a crisis management expert in a desperate phone call. With the calm, panic-slashing tone of her voice, she spoke GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES . Her confidence was the sort that spoke of seen miracles. At that straw of hope, I grasped and called them immediately.

      From that first call, GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES treated my case like those refugee lives were in their own hands. Their lead investigator explained their approach, tracing transactions through blockchains, monitoring wallet activity, and leveraging relationships with international exchanges. They explained it all in plain terms, never once making me feel dumb for my ignorance. They understood both the technical complexity and the human stakes.

      There were daily progress reports. They followed the laundering path our treasurer had attempted, following the trail through the decentralized exchanges and privacy-focused mixers. Each breakthrough was like a heartbeat resuscitating a stilled chest. On the nineteenth day, they called with the words I had scarcely dared to hope: "We got it back."

      I got down on my knees and wept. $300,000 was safely recovered to our nonprofit wallet. But GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES didn't hesitate. They guided us through implementing enhanced security measures, such as multi-signature wallets, cold storage solutions, and rigorous internal oversight. They even advised us on vetting future financial officers.

      Our mission is stronger today than ever. Refugee families are still being assisted, and I sleep well knowing our funds are secure. GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES not only retrieved our Bitcoin, they restored my faith in resiliency and human kindness. You can reach them on web at ( https://graywaretechservices.com/ )    also on Mail: (contact@graywaretechservices.com)

      4 Go to comments
      S
      SC 1 hour ago
      'He isn't playing well': Former All Blacks question Scott Barrett's form

      Mils Muliaina is completely incoherent and can’t string three sentences together in a row.

      15 Go to comments
      S
      SC 1 hour ago
      'He isn't playing well': Former All Blacks question Scott Barrett's form

      Yet McMillan has consistently started Parker over Finau at the Chiefs

      15 Go to comments
      S
      SC 1 hour ago
      'He isn't playing well': Former All Blacks question Scott Barrett's form

      Finau has not earned a starting spot on the Chiefs. Simon Parker is outplaying Finau and is bigger and heavier than Finau.

      15 Go to comments
      J
      JW 2 hours ago
      Rugby down under could have hit high gear with Anzac Tests

      If an ANZAC test isn’t viable with all of it’s incentives why do you think one some other time would be?


      Yeah sea, that’s right, even a ANZAC test could be doable. Right? Just not with the specifics Australia came up with for instance. Remember, were talking about having the test for the right reasons, the only reason RA want it is for the money. You probably remove that one problem, and it can be accomplished.


      But I get what you’re trying to tell me, if NZR didn’t think a third test works at that time in the calendar, then way can’t they find another “time”? I was just telling you that the can, and do. But you already know that you’re saying now? Well then I’ll reply then why the bloody hell did you ask the question? To which you should probably reply “Yeah OK I worded it wrong, I should have said “NZR should have countered that a better time for a third test would be before blah blah, instead of just saying “it doesn’t work out”””.


      See, that’s how a conversation goes. Now we can get our sanity back instead of going back and forward about nothing.

      80 Go to comments
      G
      GP 2 hours ago
      Super Rugby Pacific MVP voting at season's midpoint

      Crusaders hooker Ioane Moananu I thought would be higher ranking.Both as a starter for the Crusaders,or off the bench , as it was on Saturday.He has been worth his weight in gold. Codie Taylor is the starting All Black hooker and a real leader as he showed against the Drua. It is a great one -two punch with him and Ioane. It is a position of great strength in this country.

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      K
      Koro Teeps 2 hours ago
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      I doubt any of the Super U20 props are as light as 112kg. The Chiefs have an immensly strong young tighthead Benet Kumeroa in their wider squad. Will debut this season. He has a national age-group powerlifting background and his father was an SAS soldier. One to watch.

      13 Go to comments
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