England encouraged to challenge New Zealand’s haka following Joe Marler’s critique
New Zealand’s coach Scott Robertson has expressed openness towards any challenge England may present to the haka. This traditional Maori war dance will be showcased before their match on Saturday at Allianz Stadium.
Historic Encounters
The upcoming clash has garnered attention due to past confrontations between the teams. Last year, England approached the halfway line at Twickenham, and in 2019, they formed a V-shape before their notable World Cup semi-final win.
Controversial Commentary
In the lead-up to last autumn’s game, former England prop Joe Marler labeled the haka “ridiculous,” igniting considerable outrage in New Zealand. Although this year’s atmosphere is less charged, Robertson values the unique spectacle that differing responses to the haka can create.
Welcoming Different Traditions
Robertson emphasized that the haka represents a challenge. He remarked, “If someone does something different, respectfully, you welcome it.” He acknowledged the necessary preparation and adaptability teams must exhibit when facing the haka.
Bench Strengths Matter
A crucial element in Saturday’s competition will be the impact of tactical substitutions. New Zealand’s bench includes key players like Samisoni Taukei’aho, Wallace Sititi, Anton Lienert-Brown, and Damian McKenzie. In contrast, England has prepared a robust “bomb squad” of five British and Irish Lions forwards, a strategy that has proven advantageous against teams like Australia and Fiji this autumn.
The Importance of Substitutions
Robertson highlighted the significance of impactful substitutions as matches approach their conclusion. He stated, “The finishing of Test matches is critical, and whoever you bring on needs to make an impact.”
Player Recovery and Readiness
New Zealand’s team will feature Scott Barrett, who has shown impressive recovery from an injury that required 12 stitches after facing Ireland during their tour. Robertson noted, “He’s got good healing powers, and he’s ready to go.”
