Scott Robertson Responds to Marler’s Haka Remarks

Scott Robertson responded to England prop Joe Marler’s recent comments about the haka, calling them poorly expressed. Marler, 34 referred to the haka—a traditional pre-match challenge—as “ridiculous” in a post on X which he later deleted and clarified as a light-hearted attempt to generate excitement for an upcoming rugby fixture. Robertson acknowledged Marler but suggested he could have chosen his words more carefully.  He emphasized that the haka is not just an All Blacks ritual but a significant aspect of New Zealand’s identity, saying, “It means a lot to us.”

Robertson revealed that his players discussed Marler’s remarks but he cautioned against viewing them as disrespectful. He stated, “We will discuss it and decide how we deal with it respectfully.” Marler’s comments drew criticism from various political and cultural figures in New Zealand, intensifying interest in the rivalry between New Zealand and Ireland. Following the backlash, Marler apologized for his “poorly articulated” post.

England captain Jamie George expressed a different sentiment from Marler emphasizing his appreciation for the history of the haka while assistant coach Kevin Sinfield also disagreed with Marler’s view, recalling his own special experiences facing the haka as a player and coach. Sinfield noted, “It’s an important part of this fixture.” Historically, England has responded to the haka in various ways.

This includes on-field confrontations, such as those seen in 1997 and the 2019 Rugby World Cup semi-final. While rules now prevent teams from approaching one another during the haka, past controversies such as a South African apology for interrupting the haka with fireworks, still arise. Scott Robertson praised England’s 2019 response to the haka as respectful, highlighting the importance of mutual respect in the sport.