Fans left awestruck after ‘spine tingling’ All Blacks Haka as England and New Zealand players square-off

Jared Wright
England and All Blacks players during the Haka at Twickenham in November 2024.

England and All Blacks players during the Haka at Twickenham in November 2024.

The All Blacks Haka has dominated the pre-match talk ahead of England’s showdown against New Zealand at Twickenham Stadium.

And Steve Borthwick’s side responded to the cultural challenge in style on Saturday afternoon by standing just inside their own half and advancing right up to the halfway line.

The All Blacks responded with a powerful rendition while Swing Low Sweet Chariot was belted out by those in attendance. It was a chilling rendition with both sets of players never breaking eye contact.

All Blacks legend Zinzan Brooke leads a Haka in a British pub in response to Joe Marler’s comments

Reaction

Fans and pundits were left awestruck by the Haka and shared their views on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

“Allianz in full voice for the Haka. Fair enough. Taking up the challenge. Good to see and hear,” A-P Cronje remarked.

Irish journalist Murray Kinsella added: “Wow. What a haka! Great spectacle.”

Former England fly-half Andy Goode added that those that believe that the Haka shouldn’t be part of the game should “give their head a wobble”.

“That Haka was spine tingling and awesome to watch as was England accepting the challenge and challenging it back, anyone who thinks it shouldn’t be part of our great game needs to give their head a wobble,” he wrote.

“Now that’s a haka and a face off,” antoher comment read.

Joe Marler’s comments

England prop Joe Marler sparked the debate around the Haka earlier in the week with his remarks on social media.

“The Haka needs binning. It’s ridiculous”, he posted to social media on Tuesday evening.

Adding: “It’s only any good when teams actually front it with some sort of reply. Like the league boys did last week.”

His comments sparked outrage in New Zealand while Scott Robertson simply said that he wondered if he did not regret choosing his words better.

Marler would return to X to issue an apology later in the week.

“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.”

READ MORE: Joe Marler back in his ‘attention-seeking box’ after apologising for All Blacks’ Haka remarks

England