We have yet to hear the All Blacks’ views on Joe Marler’s idea of “fun” at the expense of the haka this week as they plot a return to Twickenham where England staged one of the great Test comebacks two years ago, but one thing is near certain – it will be used as a motivating factor.
The All Blacks’ players, if they aren’t already aware of the England prop’s description of the haka as “ridiculous” before he back-tracked, will presumably be briefed on the comments ahead of the team naming press conference overnight in case the topic comes up. It will.
Head coach Scott Robertson, in his first year at this level, is known to be a coach who is across the media detail and so will be aware of the situation, which is not a unique one.
Stories criticising the haka written by national reporters residing in London or the home counties are not uncommon in the days leading up to an England v All Blacks Test at Twickenham, but Robertson, who has embraced te reo and often uses it in interviews, may take this latest slight more personally than, say Ian Foster or Sir Steve Hansen, because it is his first experience of it.
The articles generally combine a toxic mix of cultural ignorance and arrogance, and Marler’s social media post, in which he at least provided some context by saying he wished opposition players could confront the haka like England’s league players did when facing the Toa Samoa sipi tau recently, contained more nuance than most of the predictable follow-ups from the usual suspects in the press.
The All Blacks, with seven victories in 10 Tests this year, shouldn’t need more fuel at what is one of the game’s great stadiums against an England team bent on revenge after their series defeat in New Zealand in July, but every little bit helps.
Assistant coach Jason Ryan this week spoke about the importance of having a good start on Sunday morning NZT, and a little extra fire provided by Marler’s comments could add intensity.
It is not necessarily the start which may be worrying Robertson, though – more the finish.
Two years ago at Twickenham, Robertson’s predecessor Foster watched as the All Blacks contrived to concede three tries and throw away a 25-6 lead in the final nine minutes for England to draw 25-25.
It was a remarkable turnaround in what was the All Blacks’ final Test of the year and there have been echoes in the way Robertson’s men have blown so hot and cold this year.
They have thrown away leads against the Springboks (twice) and Argentina in their three defeats and almost suffered a catastrophe against the Wallabies in Sydney when shooting out to a 28-7 lead after 26 minutes only to be forced to scramble a 31-28 victory as the home side roared back.
What the All Blacks will view as disrespect hasn’t been confined to the philosophical nonsense about the haka, either.
Former England Test first-five Stuart Barnes wrote this week in The Times that England’s Marcus Smith is a far better No.10 than Beauden Barrett, almost certain to be selected there for the All Blacks for Sunday’s Test, and that he would pick him “10 times out of 10”.
Barnes minimised the significance of Smith’s wayward goalkicking in Dunedin in July that contributed to England’s loss, adding that Barrett was merely a “sticking plaster” solution to cover for Richie Mo’unga’s absence in Japan and Damian McKenzie’s “failings”.
Outside noise or something extra for the All Blacks to get their teeth into as they attempt to start a difficult tour with a victory?
Marler’s comments will carry extra sting because the 34-year-old prop is a current member of the England squad – although his days in the Test scene may be numbered due to his latest injury.
Robertson, a man always looking for an edge, should not and will not overlook them.
SHARE ME