Jamie George planned England’s Haka response ‘for a couple of weeks’

The tourists edged out the series opener in London. 

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED: England line up on halfway as New Zealand perform the Haka. David Davies/PA

Jamie George revealed he first thought about England stepping forward during New Zealand’s Haka a couple of weeks ago following a dramatic 24-22 defeat at Allianz Stadium.

England loosehead prop Joe Marler had described the Haka as “ridiculous” on Tuesday and suggested it should be “binned” in a since-deleted social-media post.