New Zealand rugby stars confronted England with their traditional haka at the opening of their first game of the Autumn Nations Series today.
England players respected the ceremonial dance from behind the line as the All Blacks edged forward ahead of the match-up at Twickenham this afternoon.
The dance was overshadowed by recent controversy after England international Joe Marler took a jab, branding the haka ridiculous and saying it needs binning.
Marler went on to apologise and explained it was a poorly articulated joke - but caused a stir among players on both sides heading into the game.
Ahead of the haka, attention turned back to comments speculating as to whether England would try to muster a challenge.
Rieko Ioane of New Zealand reacts as he performs the Haka prior to the Autumn Nations Series 2025 match between England and New Zealand All Blacks at the Allianz Stadium today
amie George and players of England look on as Codie Taylor of New Zealand leads the Haka
New Zealand players perform the haka ahead of the Autumn Nations Series test match
England lines up to respect the haka as New Zealand players edge closer
England international Joe Marler took a jab, branding the haka ridiculous and saying it needs binning earlier this week
Joe Marler ahead of the Autumn international match at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
World Cup winner Matt Dawson said on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra as the teams lined up: Whats the fine? £2,000? Go on England, get over the halfway line and go nose to nose. I think wed all have chipped in a fiver for that!
Marler, 34, had taken a shot at the haka in a post on Twitter/X on Tuesday, before briefly deactivating his account.
The haka needs binning. Its ridiculous, he wrote.
The England international ultimately apologised for his poorly articulated comments amid backlash this week.
Context is everything. Just having a bit of fun trying to spark interest in a mega rugby fixture. Some wild responses. Big Love x. he added on Thursday.
The Harlequins prop will not feature in todays opener, but has now recovered from a broken foot sustained in July to make the squad.
England were the underdogs going into the match at home, having not beaten the All Blacks at Twickenham since 2012.
Fellow England prop Ellis Genge said earlier this week that England would decide on a potential challenge to the haka in the wake of Marlers comments.
Well chat about it later on, weve got a meeting and well see what the craic is, said Genge.
Were not going to start climbing on each others shoulders, but well sit there respectfully and watch it. Ive only faced it once [in 2022].
Are you not allowed to advance towards it anyway? I dont know the ruling on it. Its a good part of the game and I dont think we should get rid of it, he added.
I think you should be able to respond but everyone is respectful when they do. I dont think we have seen anyone take the Michael, so to speak.
England were fined £2,000 in 2019 for crossing the half-way line as they prepared to face the haka during the Rugby World Cup semi-final with New Zealand.
All Blacks captain Scott Barrett told media on Friday, ahead of the teams final training session, that Marlers comments had probably loaded the gun going into the match.
I guess there always opinions about the haka and its place, Barrett went on.
Its been a huge part of the All Blacks. Its bigger than rugby in a sense.
You speak to people from America and lesser known rugby nations and they know rugby in New Zealand for the haka, so it is huge for us and unites us.
The comments did prompt international reaction; Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu weighed in to assure he and his team mates would show full respect to Fijis pre-match Cibi war dance ahead of their fixture.
Englands Joe Marler (L) speaks with New Zealands head coach Scott Robertson (R) beside the pitch in Twickenham in south-west London, on November 2
England and Harlequins prop Joe Marler apologised for his poorly articulated comments
New Zealand players performing a Haka ahead of a match in November 2023
Tuipulotu, who has a Tongan father and is fiercely proud of his family heritage, has stressed the importance of full respect being shown to the opposition.
First and foremost, I think people need to realise that the war dance is a sign of respect for the other team, he said.
Its a ritual before you go into a battle and, if you think of it in a logical way, if they didnt respect you, they wouldnt be doing the war dance because they dont see you as a threat.
Its been a ritual in rugby for, I dont know, the last hundred years, so I dont know why now its a problem.
New Zealand Cultural advisor Mana Epiha said Marler was obviously a little bit lost in making the comments.
If he doesnt like it, that is probably a good thing. That is not for people to like, its for people to tremble in their boots, he hit back.
Its definitely something that brings about beautiful feelings of our ancestors warrior spirits.