Richard Cockerill has warned the All Blacks that England will answer the haka challenge in whichever way they see fit.
Cockerill, Eddie Jones’ assistant coach, stood up to New Zealand’s pre-match ritual in 1997, famously squaring up to opposite number Norm Hewitt, and insists he has not had a moment of regrets.
He has encouraged tomorrow’s sell-out Twickenham crowd to drown out the haka with their cheers - whilst reminding England players that for all the pre-match theatre it is what comes next that really matters.
