England explain meaning behind Haka response to New Zealand - including unusual Henry Pollock and Jamie George roles - 'The idea was that...'
Published 15/11/2025 at 21:22 GMT
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England lit the blue touchpaper with their Haka response to New Zealand on Saturday - but what was the meaning behind it? Try-scoring hero Fraser Dingwall told TNT Sports where it came from, while Maro Itoje said England were "trying to achieve the same thing they were trying to achieve". Watch all the best moments and highlights from England's momentous win on the TNT Sports website and app.
Watch: Pollock, Smith stare down All Blacks during TENSE Haka – ‘Echoes of Yokohama’
Video credit: TNT Sports
England's players shared the origins of their spine-tingling response to New Zealand's Haka, which acted as a stunning precursor to their momentous win over The All Blacks on Saturday.
Allianz Stadium witnessed something special in the pre-match ceremony before the Quilter Nations Series clash, with New Zealand beginning their Haka, only to be confronted with an advancing 'V' formation from England.
It was a shape that had "echoes of Yokohama" - the 2019 World Cup semi-final which saw England also do the 'V'.
The All Blacks then, remarkably, walked forward themselves, leaving the two teams within touching distance of each other and creating a white-hot atmosphere ahead of the whistle.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, England captain Maro Itoje shared the thought-process behind what his team did.
"As a group of leaders, we came up with what you guys saw," he said.
"I guess it was just our response to what they did. We were trying to achieve the same thing they were trying to achieve.
"The Haka is a war dance that they do to get themselves up for the game, and I know it has a huge spiritual meaning to New Zealanders.
"Our response was a response to the Haka, and just to show ourselves, and the team, and Allianz Stadium that we were ready for the challenge."
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England v New Zealand highlights: Borthwick's side claim thrilling comeback win
Video credit: TNT Sports
Fraser Dingwall, a try-scorer in the second half, went further and explained what was behind the positioning of Henry Pollock, who took on the 'Owen Farrell' role from 2019 by smiling his way through the Haka.
"I think it [the response] was down to the leaders, and I think maybe it was a bit of throwback to the 2019 win they had in the World Cup against them, I think that was the last time they did that 'V' formation," Dingwall said.
"The idea was that there was the oldest player on one side, who was Jamie George, and then the youngest [on the other side] with Henry Pollock, which fits quite nicely doesn't it?
"And then we had Maro, [Luke] Cowan-Dickie and Gengey [Ellis Genge] in the middle.
"So I think it was just a really nice moment, a nice way of lifting the crowd and just showing our intent for the game."
As a consequence of their victory, England are now on a 10-game winning streak, as well as remaining unbeaten this autumn.
Coach Steve Borthwick was delighted to see his side beat a team ranked two in the world.
"It's a team that's developing, a team that's growing," he said.
"It's a team that needs experience together and that's exactly what they're doing each time - go away each week and train really hard and being focused on what to improve, and that's showing on the pitch.
"The team has a lot of belief - in our preparation, in the way we are trying to play and in the ability we have within the team.
"This is about trying to achieve special moments, special memories. Today is one of them."
They have one game remaining in this year's Quilter Nations Series, against Argentina next Sunday, to be shown live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Watch and stream every game of the Quilter Nations Series live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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