England coach spices up debate about haka response

BAGSHOT, England: Eddie Jones says the discussion about whether the Twickenham crowd should respect or drown out the All Blacks’ haka had no relevance to him, adding the Spice Girls could be singing for all the attention he will give the issue.

England faces New Zealand for the first time in four years tomorrow and the vast majority of the 80,000strong crowd will belt out the loudestpossible rendition of their Swing Low anthem to drown out the prematch haka wardance performed by the visitor.

The sport’s governing body, World Rugby, has instructed teams to respect the traditional challenge, although teams have tried various ways to deal with it, including noseto nose confrontation and declining to face it, and the England fans’ response divides opinion.

Asked where he stood on the issue, Australian Jones told reporters yesterday: ‘‘At that stage of the game, they could be playing the Spice Girls and I wouldn’t know what’s being played.

‘‘They’re making a comeback aren’t they, the Spice Girls? Maybe they could sing at that time. It’s got no relevance to me at all.’’

The hugely successful British allgirl band of the late 1990s announced this week it will get back together for a tour next year, although its only London appearance is scheduled for Wembley rather than Twickenham. — Reuters