Barrett opens up on Marler's haka comments

SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand captain Scott Barrett suggested that England prop Joe Marler has ‘loaded the gun’ ahead of the two side’s clash at Twickenham this Saturday.

Earlier in the week Marler made a call on the All Blacks to ditch their pre-match ritual haka prior to matches.

He has since apologised for his comments in which England captain Jamie George said may have ‘prodded the bear’.

New Zealand captain Scott Barrett echoed George’s view and made it clear that his side had no intention to drop the Maori war dance.

Barrett downplayed any suggestions that Marler’s words would fuel New Zealand, with England having won just eight of their previous 45 Tests against New Zealand.

They last faced the All Blacks in New Zealand where they narrowly went down to the Kiwis by 15-16 in Dunedin and 17-24 in Auckland back in July.

“He has probably loaded the gun hasn’t he?,” said Barrett when asked about Marler’s comments at New Zealand’s hotel on Friday.

“I guess there always opinions about the haka and its place. It is hugely important to us and has been to the All Blacks for a long time, we get a lot from it.”

New Zealand lost half their Rugby Championship clashes this season, but Barret said:

“We don’t need any extra motivation heading to Twickenham against a team that would desperately love to beat us so we have got to respect what is coming,” said Barrett, whose brothers Beauden and Jordie are also in the starting XV.

“England haven’t had a Test match since they played us in July so they’ll have that stone in their shoe that they’ve been carrying for a while and they’ll be keen to shake that off with a good performance,” he added.

“Up front they always pose a threat – George Martin, Jamie George, Maro Itoje. They’ve got a strong connection there.

“If they get gainline and fast ball for Marcus Smith and the backs they have, you can end up chasing the game. So it’s about controlling the breakdown and getting good ball. It’ll be an arm wrestle.”

New Zealand lost three of their six matches in the southern hemisphere Rugby Championship, but Barrett said: “I feel like we’ve learnt a lot from the summer series and we’re excited about whats ahead.

“We’ll see in the next three Test matches [if we have our aura]. We’re playing the best of the Northern Hemisphere [they also take on France and Ireland this trip] so it’s a great opportunity for this team.”