New Zealand head coach Scott Robertson hits back at Joe Marler over Haka jibe

By Duncan Bech, PA England Rugby Correspondent

New Zealand head coach Scott Robertson has hit back at Joe Marler after the England prop called for the Haka to be scrapped.

Marler baited the All Blacks ahead of Saturday’s autumn opener at Allianz Stadium by writing on the social media site X on Tuesday night that “the haka needs binning. It’s ridiculous.”

Robertson believes the 34-year-old, who left the England camp on Monday for personal reasons, could have chosen his words more carefully.

“I know Joe. I wonder if he wishes he could have articulated himself better on that,” Robertson said at New Zealand’s team announcement.

“It’s a great tradition of rugby that all Pacific nations do before to honour where they come from. It means a lot to us. The crowd enjoy it.”