England fined for V-shaped formation facing New Zealand’s haka

England have been reprimanded and fined for their V-shaped formation when facing the haka before their World Cup semi-final victory over New Zealand, the Guardian understands.

World Rugby regulations state opponents must not cross the halfway line while the Maori war dance is being performed and six England players could be seen in breach of the ruling last Saturday. Eddie Jones was behind the idea to combat the haka and his captain, Owen Farrell, stood at the apex of the formation grinning while it was being performed. After the match, Farrell said: “We wanted not to just stand there and let them come at us.” Mako Vunipola added: “We knew it would rile them up”.

New Zealand dismissed the significance of the incident with their scrum-half Aaron Smith also revealing Farrell was winking at him during the performance. England dominated the early exchanges with Manu Tuilagi opening the scoring with a try after 96 seconds.

It is believed England have been fined a four-figure sum but less than the £2,500 France had to pay when they adopted a similar formation before the 2011 World Cup final. On that occasion, almost all of the squad advanced beyond the halfway line. World Rugby said on Tuesday “the matter had been

dealt with”.

England’s response has been well received – including by World Rugby, which posted an official video of the incident on YouTube, entitled “England’s incredible response to intense

New Zealand haka”.

But the governing body was under pressure to act, having introduced its “cultural ritual protocol” after France’s response to the haka in 2007. The players ended up almost nose to nose, with France forming a tricolour with red, white and blue T-shirts.