adminEngland have been fined £2 000 for crossing the halfway line as they lined up in a V formation to face the haka before their Rugby World Cup semi-final match against New Zealand.
World Rugby rules stipulate teams must remain within their own half of the pitch to receive the challenge.
Referee Nigel Owens and his team had to usher several England players back as they strayed over halfway.
England won the game 19-7 and will play South Africa in Saturday’s final.
World Rugby said England breached tournament rules “relating to cultural challenges”.
Reacting to news of the fine, New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen said he thought England’s response to the haka was “fantastic”, adding: “They didn’t get fined for responding, they got fined because they went over halfway.
“If you understand the haka then it requires a response. It’s a challenge to you personally and it requires you to have a response. I thought it was brilliant — quite imaginative too.” — BBC.
Online Reporter