sport news England ready to risk backlash as they ponder a repeat of their legendary ... trends now

England could unleash another defiant response to the Haka on Saturday evening, as a means of igniting home support before they bid to beat the All Blacks again.

Eddie Jones’s team are aiming for a repeat of their victory over New Zealand in the semi-final of the last World Cup. On that occasion in Yokohama, England lined up in a V formation to stare down the Haka and followed that with a thunderous start to the match, which they went on to win 19-7.

Asked if the bold approach had a positive psychological impact on his team before the clash, and whether a similar ploy was in prospect this weekend, head coach Jones said: ‘It had a massive effect on the fans, that’s what it had an effect on.

‘On Saturday, we’ve got a responsibility to light the crowd up, whether it’s during the Haka or post the Haka. They can be our 24th player. The noise the crowd made last Saturday in the Japan game was fantastic. The players felt the warmth and pride that the crowd brought.’

England prop Ellis Genge was watching from the stand in Yokohama and was unaware of exactly what the players on duty that night had prepared. It was not until much later that he recognised its impact, but he did relish the look on Owen Farrell’s face at the tip of the V.

‘I love that picture of Faz standing in the middle with the smirk on his face,’ said the Bristol loosehead ahead of his first encounter with the All Blacks. ‘I hope he’s got that on his wall.

‘I wasn’t aware of the spectacle but looking back, it was mint. The boys not involved were at a gym session, so we missed them practising it. 

'I wasn’t clued up on it. I knew it was going to happen but I didn’t know what it would look like. I didn’t necessarily feel the impact of it until after the game and probably post-World Cup, hearing other fans speak about doing that and how powerful it was.’

Whatever

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