England defender Ellis Genge says the team must plan and decide their counter-response for Saturday’s Test
Ellis Genge says England need to decide and plan their challenge to the opposition after Joe Marler caused a storm by calling for New Zealand’s pre-match ritual to be scrapped ahead of Saturday’s Test.
Marler ever since apologized, saying he “didn’t mean any harm”After taking to social media to call the ban “ridiculous” and declaring it should “go”
George and coach Kevin Sinfield told Sky Sports Earlier this week, they both “love haka”Sinfield even states that World Rugby’s current rules on tackles are “correct”.
All eyes will be on the Maori War Dance at Allianz Stadium (Twickenham) on Saturday when the All Blacks kick off their Autumn Nations series, and England can add to the spectacle with their response.
“We’ll talk about that later, we’ve got a meeting and we’ll see what the crack is,” Bristol prop Geng said.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
The New Zealand hack was this week branded “ridiculous” by England supporter Joe Marler, who has since apologised.
“We’re not going to start climbing on each other’s shoulders, but we’re going to respectfully sit there and watch it.
“I’ve only faced it once (in 2022). It is huge in the history of the game. Most people who aren’t necessarily very into rugby still know what a hack is.
“It’s a huge part of rugby in general. I know some people are divided on it, but I really like it. It’s a bit of a challenge. I’m a big fan of that.
“You’re not allowed to progress to that anyway, I don’t know the decision, it’s a good part of the game and I don’t think we should get rid of it.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Jamie George, Ben Spencer and Kevin Sinfield reflect on what it’s like to play against the All Blacks
“I think you should be able to respond, but everyone is respectful when they do. I don’t think we’ve seen anyone take Michael, so to speak.
“I really like the effect of it, but it’s a challenge, isn’t it? Obviously, we want Twickenham to bounce back, whether there is opposition or not. I’m sure they will influence it in their own way.”
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
After suffering a hamstring injury last year, Tom Curry is delighted to be back in England colors for their Autumn Internationals, which begin against New Zealand on Saturday.
England’s George and Sinfield fight back
England captain Jamie 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 big fan of haka.
“Growing up a huge rugby fan, I loved it when I was growing up and I loved being able to tackle it.
“I love the theater it brings, I love the reaction from the fans. I’m a huge fan.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
England’s George, Sinfield and Spencer say they support the All Blacks anti-ritual, unlike Marler, following his comments on social media.
“I think as long as it (the response) is done in a respectful way, it’s something that adds to the theater and the spectacle of it all.
“It’s a given challenge, so how you respond is up to you, as long as you do it the right way.
“Terrifying is the wrong word. I love it. There are two ways to think about it. you can be horrified, or you can stop and think. you standing in front of 82,000 people in front of the haka, there’s no feeling like that.”
World rugby rules limit how close opposing teams can get to each other when facing a haka, a Maori war dance, and prevent them from crossing halfway.
Team positions
If both teams plan to perform a cultural challenge, a coin toss determines the field positions. The winner can move up to the halfway line, while the other team must stay behind their own 10-meter line.
Splitting the team
If only one team makes a challenge, the other team may not cross halfway and the executing team may not cross their own 10-meter line.
Penalties
Teams violating these rules may be fined. For example, in 2019, England were fined £2,000 for crossing the half-way line against New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final. In 2011, France were fined £2,500 for promotion in New Zealand when they played haka before the World Cup final.
England coach Kevin Sinfield told Sky Sports.
“I love hachi. I was lucky enough to face him as a player, I was lucky enough to face him as a coach in the summer.
“I think that’s the brilliant part of rugby, the brilliant part of professional sport. I think people like to see it and it represents their culture, so it adds a little bit more to the game on Saturday.
“I’m sure it will be a special haka this weekend, I’m sure the support at the Allianz Stadium will get right behind the haka when it happens and it’s great for our players to face it, so I’m all for it. it.
“There are laws and rightly so (about Haka’s responses). I don’t think what happened in rugby league is normal. I’ve seen the clips from last week, but I don’t think that’s a common response to a hack.
“I know there have been times when things like this have happened, but I think we’re pretty respectful as a nation and we should continue to be.”
England v New Zealand confirmed teams
England. 15 George Furbank, 14 Emmanuel Fay-Waboso, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Ollie Lawrence, 11 Tommy Freeman, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Ben Spencer; 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Jamie George (c), 3 Will Stewart, 4 Maro Itoje, 5 George Martin, 6 Chandler Cunningham-South, 7 Tom Curry, 8 Ben Earl.
Substitutions. 16 Theo Dan, 17 Finn Baxter, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Nick Iziekwe, 20 Ben Curry, 21 Alex Dombrandt, 22 Harry Randall, 23 George Ford.
All Blacks. 15 Will Jordan, 14 Mark Telea, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jordy Barrett, 11 Caleb Clark, 10 Boden Barrett, 9 Cortez Ratima; 1 Child Williams, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 4 Scott Barrett, 5 Virgin Mary, 6 Wallace Street, 7 Sam Cane, 8 Ardie Savea.
Substitutions. 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Ofa Tuungafasi, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Samipeni Finau, 21 Cam Roygaard, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Damian McKenzie
Stay tuned to Skysports.com/rugby-union for all our coverage this November as England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland and France meet southern hemisphere heavyweights in the Autumn Nations Series.
