All Blacks legend Zinzan Brooke leads a Haka in a British pub in response to Joe Marler’s comments
All Blacks legend Zinzan Brooke during his playing days and image of him performing a Haka in a pub.
All Blacks legend Zinzan Brooke performed a Haka along with four other men ahead of Saturday’s clash between England and New Zealand.
Brooke played 58 Test matches for New Zealand between 1887 and 1997 and featured in the final of the 1995 Rugby World Cup against the Springboks.
The ex-number eight decided to perform the Haka at Louis Marchesi pub in Norwich following the comments of England prop Joe Marler who said that the cultural challenge should be ‘binned’.
Joe Marler and the Haka
“The Haka needs binning. It’s ridiculous”, Marler wrote in a post on social media.
Adding: “It’s only any good when teams actually front it with some sort of reply. Like the league boys did last week.”
The England front rower’s comments have caused a stir ahead of the showdown at Twickenham Stadium as he received furious backlash in New Zealand.
All Blacks boss Scott Robertson also weighed in and wondered whether Marler had chosen his words poorly while England skipper Jamie George said that his teammate had ‘prodded the bear’ ahead of the third meeting between the two sides this year.
England v All Blacks: Jamie George hints at a Haka response after Joe Marler ‘prodded the bear’
Marler has since apologised for his comments.
“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,” his post read.
“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***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 by 6pts. I’ll get back in my attention-seeking box now. Big Love x.”
Meanwhile, Brooke had a few choice words for Marler before performing a Haka with four other New Zealanders who he had been having a “session” with at the pub.
“I’ve got four Kiwi guys from a great place in New Zealand – in Whanganui – and we’ve just been having a bit of a session. And it’s been absolutely fantastic,” Brooke said.
He added: “We’re going to do the haka and … Joe Marler, who is an English guy who sort of, he takes a little bit of exception to what we think is right.
“But let’s just crack on and we’ll do it. This is to the game of rugby and this is to the game of what’s happening in the weekend – this is the haka right [at] your doorstep.”
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All Blacks legend Zinzan Brooke performing a Haka in a British pub after Joe Marler's comments.
🎥 Cameron Phillips/Leicester Mercury. pic.twitter.com/QsgxcBGXw6
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) November 2, 2024
All Blacks Haka: Why teams are no longer allowed to advance during the cultural challenge
A fan who captured the video of the Haka, Cameron Phillips, said he recognised Brooke immediately when he walked into the pub and believed that the former All Blacks forward was annoyed by Marler’s comments.
“Marler had clearly touched a nerve by saying the Haka should be binned,” he told Leicester Mercury..
“[Brooke]’s a staunch Maori so he was riled by Marler saying that. I think the Maori pride was hurt. That’s going to get them up for it on Saturday.”
