JAMIE GEORGE PLOTTING ENGLAND'S HAKA RESPONSE AHEAD OF THIS WEEKEND'S FIRST TEST AGAINST THE ALL BLACKS IN DUNEDIN
- England will take on the All Blacks in Dunedin on Saturday in the first of two Tests
- Captain Jamie George has the job of preparing his team's response to the Haka
- England's players lined up in a 'V' formation to face down the Haka back in 2019
England captain Jamie George and his senior team-mates will decide on Friday whether to deliver an unorthodox response to the All Blacks' Haka – as they strive to make a name for themselves here.
Hours after further evidence emerged that the hosts pay little heed to the threat posed by these tourists, George discussed the possibility of making a pre-match statement at Forsyth Barr Stadium ahead of Saturday's first Test.
In the process, he reflected on how England's 'V' formation to stare down the Haka prior to the 2019 World Cup semi-final had helped to set the tone for that historic victory over New Zealand in Yokohama, Japan.
'The Haka is something we've spoken about,' said the hooker. 'We've got some local knowledge – Ethan Roots (Exeter's New Zealand-born flanker) spoke very well about that in a players' meeting this week.
'I think we're as well prepared as we ever have been in terms of trying to make new players who haven't played against New Zealand aware of what it's about.'
England's head coach, Steve Borthwick, has left it up to his players to decide if they wish to come up with a novel response to the Haka. When asked if they were hatching any plans, beyond the usual routine of standing respectfully in a line close to halfway, George added: 'We are still having conversations and we will probably make a decision on Saturday.
'It will mostly revolve around me and the senior leadership group. I will speak to the vice-captains and see what they think. I have had a couple of conversations already, we'll put it out to the group and they will all be on board with whatever we decide.
'The most important thing for me with regards to this conversation is that I grew up loving watching the All Blacks play. The Haka was a massive part of that. It's a massive part of the occasion. Nothing that we do should ever take away from that. We respect why they do the Haka.'
The England formation in Yokohama appeared to catch the All Blacks off-guard, especially when Joe Marler encroached into their half, to eye-ball them. At the centre of the Red Rose formation, the-then captain, Owen Farrell, stood with what appeared to be a smirk on his face, as the challenge was laid down by the opposition.
So, did it affect the performance of the victors on that glorious night? 'It did, absolutely,' said George. 'The most powerful thing for me was looking up at the big screen and seeing our captain smirking. I don't think I can pull off the Farrell smirk!
'I think the most important thing regardless of what you do for the Haka and what happens before the game, the first 10 minutes of a Test match sets the tone. What we did (in 2019) was that we put our necks on the line in terms of doing something different and challenging and then we backed it up. That's going to be the most important thing regardless of what we do.'
England won't lack motivation on Saturday, after what will be perceived as another example of a lack of awareness – at best – or disrespect – at worst – from within the home squad. After being recalled to the New Zealand starting XV by new head coach Scott Robertson, Crusaders wing Sevu Reece was asked about England's exciting young wide men, Tommy Freeman and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso.
There was an awkward pause, before he said: 'I don't really know much about them. We have just been trying to be familiar with the way we want to play. This week has been on ourselves – and getting familiar with our roles.' When Reece was then asked if the All Blacks analyse the opposition at all, he added: 'Oh yeah, we do. They go to their high balls a lot. There are some big ball-carriers.'
Home No 8 Ardie Savea demonstrated a clear awareness of his opposite number, Ben Earl, but said: 'The focus has been on us.' How will the visitors play? 'Direct, starting with set piece and mauling,' he said. And what of their new fliers on the flanks? 'I'm sure our backs have done some homework on that,' he added. 'I don't have a lot to say on that.'
England's game has evolved a lot of late, which didn't seem to have registered with the New Zealand players. Reece's inability to talk about the men he will line up against was a fresh sign that English respect for the Kiwis is not reciprocated. It had echoes of what happened a decade ago, when All Black lock Brodie Retallick failed to name a single England player.
George was measured in response to this latest apparent slight, saying: 'It's an interesting one, isn't it? I'm not in their camp, so I don't know whether there are mind-games in what they are saying. I know that that (lack of awareness and respect) was certainly said in 2017 on the Lions tour. The message then was by the end of that series, they are certainly going to know who we are. That is certainly the message again from me and this England team.
'We are a team that always wants to know our opposition inside-out because we want to be able to pick them apart. That's how we see the game. If they see the game differently and want to focus on themselves, that's great. Go and do your thing, we'll see who works out best on Saturday. We want to throw everything at this, whether they know who we are or not. That doesn't fuss me whatsoever.'
In a major sporting weekend, with national pride on the line in many places around the world, George wants his England team to lead the charge in their series opener, adding: 'It'll be on in the morning so we can set the tone. What a great time for us to put our hands up and show what the English rugby team is about.
'There is Wimbledon going on and the quarter-finals of the Euros. It's a hugely exciting time to be an English sports fan and we want to make people back home really proud of what we are doing.'
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