Home / Sports / England Stuns All Blacks with Iconic Haka Response
England Stuns All Blacks with Iconic Haka Response
16 Nov
Summary
- England's haka response designed by Jamie George
- Pollock, the youngest, stood at one end, George, the eldest, at the other
- England's connection with Twickenham crowd key factor behind response
On November 16, 2025, the England rugby team achieved a historic victory over the mighty All Blacks, winning at home for the first time in 13 years. The team's response to the traditional Māori war dance, the haka, played a crucial role in the win.
The mastermind behind England's haka response was veteran player Jamie George. Inspired by their 2019 World Cup semi-final triumph, George revealed that he intentionally placed the eldest player, himself, on one end of the formation, with the youngest, Henry Pollock, on the other. Captain Maro Itoje stood at the center, leading the V-shaped formation that challenged the All Blacks.
George acknowledged that they were "quite reluctant" to give Pollock such an important role, as the young player has a habit of "getting under opponents' skin." However, the team's strong connection with the Twickenham crowd was a key factor in their decision to bring a bold response to the haka.
The All Blacks themselves edged towards England's formation as they performed the haka, but George revealed that the team was prepared for a potential confrontation, reminiscent of a 1997 incident. Ultimately, England's response and the subsequent performance on the pitch led them to a historic victory, one that the team and their fans will long remember.
