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Joe Marler has added extra spice to England’s clash with New Zealand on Saturday by claiming the pre-match haka should be scrapped.
Writing on the social media site X, veteran prop Marler said: “The haka needs binning. It’s ridiculous.”
The 34-year-old then added: “It’s only any good when teams actually front it with some sort of reply. Like the league boys did last week.”
The messages prompted an inevitable backlash from some and Marler subsequently deleted his X account.
Marler will not feature in the match at Allianz Stadium after breaking his foot during the first Test between England and New Zealand in July.
In rugby union, regulations prevent opposing teams crossing the halfway line while New Zealand are performing the Maori war dance.
England were fined in 2019 after contravening the rule ahead of the World Cup semi-final, with Marler going across the line.
