Jamie George has revealed he was the mastermind behind England's provocative response to the All Blacks' haka, a tactical move that preceded their first home victory over New Zealand in 13 years.
The Strategic Formation
The England captain disclosed that he personally devised the plan to initially line up conventionally before breaking into a V-shaped formation as the All Blacks performed their traditional war dance at a packed Twickenham. In a symbolic gesture, George, as the squad's eldest player, positioned himself at one end of the formation, while Henry Pollock, the team's youngest member, stood at the opposite end. Captain Maro Itoje took his place at the point of the V, though observers noted it appeared more C-shaped in practice.
George admitted there were reservations about giving Pollock, known for getting under opponents' skin, such a prominent role. The young player was seen licking his lips during the confrontation, adding to the tense spectacle.
Drawing Inspiration from History
The strategic response drew direct inspiration from England's 2019 World Cup semi-final victory over New Zealand, where a similar V-formation was employed. Following that memorable win, Mako Vunipola had acknowledged they knew it would "rile them up," though World Rugby subsequently fined England for players crossing the halfway line during the cultural challenge.
George acknowledged the risk of "poking the bear" but explained that the connection with the Twickenham crowd was a crucial factor in deciding to respond to the haka. He revealed presenting the idea to Itoje and head coach Steve Borthwick, who approved the plan provided rehearsals were kept to a minimum.
A Moment to Remember
The All Blacks themselves edged towards England's formation during their performance, creating an "old school" face-to-face confrontation that recalled the 1997 incident when Richard Cockerill ended up nose-to-nose with Norm Hewitt.
Following the dramatic pre-match theatre, England secured a historic 27-26 victory, becoming only the ninth English side to defeat the All Blacks. George immediately urged his teammates to savour the moment, emphasising how fans still discuss landmark victories like the 2012 win and Manu Tuilagi's performance.
The victory sets up Borthwick's side for their next challenge against Argentina as they pursue an strong>11th consecutive win. George emphasised the importance of creating memorable experiences for supporters, stating that performances like these give fans stories to cherish for years to come.
