Joe Marler left the England squad preparing for the autumn internationals opener, against the All Blacks on Saturday, at the start of the week for personal reasons before provoking a fierce backlash in New Zealand by calling for the haka to be scrapped.
Marler arrived at England’s training base in Bagshot on Sunday night but informed the head coach, Steve Borthwick, and a core group of senior players of his decision to leave the camp.
He did so before Borthwick revealed his team to face New Zealand, and Marler’s motivations are not thought to be due to selection and Borthwick says he is sympathetic towards Marler’s decision.
Marler has 95 England caps and is now unclear if he will add to them.
It is yet to be determined if he will play any further part in England’s autumn campaign with matches against Australia, South Africa, and Japan to follow the All Blacks fixture.
England Management says they are not calling up a replacement this week with Ellis Genge starting at loosehead prop and Marler’s Harlequins teammate Fin Baxter providing cover from the bench. Still, it is understood Borthwick is prepared to do so when the squad reconvenes on Sunday after the All Blacks match.
His provocative criticism of the haka has been met with fierce reaction in New Zealand. The politician David Seymour, who leads the ACT party, says He loves the haka and it wouldn’t be the All Blacks if they didn’t do the haka.
The All Blacks will face England at 3.10am this Sunday in Twickenham England.
Source:The Guardian
