JOE BLOW
Joe Marler at fault for England’s £2,000 fine for V-formation during Haka and team-mates joke he should pay
ENGLAND prop Joe Marler has been blamed for his side's £2,000 fine for their V-shape response to the Haka - with team-mates even joking he should pay up.
World Rugby dished out the rap after several Red Rose stars crossed into the New Zealand half as they performed their traditional Maori war dance.
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And Mako Vunipola pointed the finger squarely at Marler, who lined up in the pack with him for England's stunning 19-7 World Cup semi-final triumph over the reigning champs.
He admitted: “[Joe Marler] said he got confused. He thought he was supposed to go all the way around it and go to their 10 [metre line].
"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.”
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen echoed Vunipola when he singled out Marler's role in the confusion.
But the Kiwi boss is not upset at England's approach and the beaten boss admits he was impressed by how Eddie Jones' side responded to their challenge.
He said: "I think England's response was fantastic. They didn't get fined for responding with what they did, they got fined because they went over halfway. And everyone knows you can't go over halfway.
"I think Joe Marler didn't go back when he got told two or three times.
"I thought the response was brilliant. If you understand the haka, it requires a response. It's a challenge to you personally and it requires you to have a response. I thought it was brilliant, quite imaginative too."
Marler will probably not end up getting his wallet out to pay the fine but he may want to put in even more of a shift to make sure his side win in Sunday's final.
England stars are in line to net a huge £225,000 EACH for securing a second World Cup triumph, which would certainly take the edge off.
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South Africa stand in their way and coach Rassie Erasmus has also had his say on the Haka.
He explained: "It was certainly something new, and it brought some spice to the Test match. I don't think it was disrespectful, and it was something new for everyone in world rugby.
"I wouldn't make a big issue about it, but it's not for me to decide."
The England squad train as they made preparations for the Rugby World Cup final against South Africa
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