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'Not fair': England facing 'farcical' punishment in World Cup haka drama

Sam Goodwin
·Sports Editor

England are facing a fine from World Rugby over their stunning response to the haka before their win over New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-finals.

England answered the challenge of New Zealand's Haka head-on on Saturday night, with a curious new tactic in their in Yokohama.

‘SHOCKING RUBBISH’: Fans rage over World Cup semi-final shocker

It's common practice for the opposition team to station themselves on one side of the halfway line while the All Blacks go about their business in the other half.

However England took an unorthodox approach and formed a V shape, effectively surrounding the All Blacks on one side.

England players, pictured here forming a V formation during the haka.
England players formed a V shape. (Photo by Richard Heathcote - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

However some of the English players crept over halfway - a big no-no during the haka - which prompted referees to ask them to move back.

But it appears as though that’s not the only fallout.

According to the Guardian, England are also facing a monetary fine.

“In 2011 France formed an arrow shape and advanced on New Zealand while they performed the haka before the World Cup final and were subsequently fined £2,500 for breaching a “cultural ritual protocol”,” a report in the Guardian said on Monday.

England players, pictured here looking on while New Zealand perform the haka at the Rugby World Cup.
England players look on while New Zealand players perform the haka. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

“It is understood that the protocol states that opponents must not cross the halfway line but at the two tips of England’s V formation, six players – Joe Marler, Billy Vunipola, Mark Wilson, Elliot Daly, Luke Cowan‑Dickie and Ben Youngs – appeared to be standing in the All Blacks’ half.”

However the news of an impending fine has been widely panned.

Eddie Jones the mastermind

The players have since revealed it was coach Eddie Jones who masterminded the ploy in order to show the Kiwis they meant business.

After the game Mako Vunipola said “we knew it would rile them up”, while captain Owen Farrell said “We wanted not to just stand there and let them come at us.”

Farrell was also spotted on TV cameras winking at the All Blacks.

Vunipola also suggested the players encroaching into the All Blacks’ half may have been because of confusion as to where they were supposed to stand.

“[Joe Marler] said he got confused,” Vunipola said.

“He thought he was supposed to go all the way around it and go to their 10. But because of that, he’s the one who has to pay the fine.

“He dishes it out a lot so the boys would be more than happy if he has to pay it.”

Viewers absolutely loved the stand-off between the teams, taking to social media to express their delight.