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England rugby star Joe Marler has deleted his X account after labelling the haka as ‘ridiculous’ on social media.
On Tuesday, the England prop weighed into the debate surrounding the traditional Maori dance.
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Several international rugby teams perform the haka before matches, including New Zealand.
England face the All Blacks at Twickenham on Saturday and will be met with the haka ahead of kick-off.
Although Marler will miss the match through injury, he gave his thoughts on social media this week.
In a post on X, he wrote: “The haka needs binning. It’s ridiculous.”
The 34-year-old doubled down in a second post, adding: “It’s only any good when teams actually front it with some sort of reply. Like the [rugby] league boys did last week.”
Since his haka posts, Marler has deactivated his X account.
The Harlequins man is currently sidelined with a broken foot he suffered against the All Blacks in the summer.
He was also involved in England’s ‘V’ formation response to the haka at the 2019 World Cup.
Marler was told to move back after crossing the halfway line, with England subsequently fined £2,000.
England’s rugby league players went head-to-head with Samoa during a tense haka before their match on Sunday.
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However, his haka views have been supported by talkSPORT co-host Ally McCoist, who believes it gives teams a ‘psychological advantage’.
The former Scotland striker debated Marler’s comments with Alan Brazil on Breakfast.
McCoist explained: “He’s right. Because whether we like it or not, the haka, as much as it is good to watch and we all love it, I love watching it, a lot of people would think it would give them a psychological advantage.
“So why should we allow that to happen? Why would anybody in any sporting field allow somebody to get a psychological advantage over you? Joe Marler is right.”
The ex-Rangers forward continued: “In all seriousness, Joe’s right. Why should the opposition, in my opinion, be given an advantage?
“And it is an advantage and by the way, I thoroughly enjoy it, love watching it, I love the way they go about it. I think it’s a fantastic thing but it’s giving them an advantage.
“That is giving them an advantage, of course it is. It’s giving them a psychological advantage to look at their opponent and try to get a headstart on them.
“So Joe is right, they should be able to react in whatever way they want.”