Rugby World Cup 2019: Hansen impressed with ‘imaginative’ England Haka response

New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen has described England’s costly response to the Haka as “brilliant and quite imaginative”.

England fronted up to the All Blacks’ pre-match ritual at International Stadium Yokohama on Saturday by forming a V shape before dethroning the two-time defending champions with a dominant 19-7 semi-final victory.

Joe Marler was among the England players warned to retreat after crossing the halfway line during the Haka.

World Rugby has fined England a reported £2,000 for overstepping the mark, and Hansen was quick to point out the sanction was due to a breach of tournament regulations rather than showing a lack of respect.

“They didn’t get fined for responding to the Haka – they got fined for coming over halfway,” Hanson said.

“Joe [Marler] didn’t go back when he was told two or three times. The Haka requires a response. It’s a challenge to you, personally, and it requires a response.

“I thought it was brilliant and quite imaginative, too.”

The England rugby team’s response to the Haka yesterday was the best I’ve ever seen.

— Philip Pullman (@PhilipPullman) October 27, 2019

England lock Courtney Lawes said Eddie Jones’ side felt it was important to show they were ready for the battle.

“Yes, we wanted to be respectful, but we wanted to show that we weren’t just going to sit there and take whatever they had,” said Lawes.

“We wanted to show we were just as up for the game, and we thought it was a good way of doing that. We didn’t go there to cause any disrespect. We just wanted to show that we were up for the challenge.

“They certainly seemed, as we started moving towards them, they accepted the challenge. I thought it was good.”

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