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England Have Been Fined For V-Shaped Formation Against New Zealand’s Haka In World Cup Semi-Final

England Have Been Fined For V-Shaped Formation Against New Zealand’s Haka In World Cup Semi-Final

England captain Owen Farrell said that they "wanted to be respectful" towards New Zealand, but they didn't "want to stand in a flat line."

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz

England have been hit with a 'four-figure sum' fine for their V-shaped formation during New Zealand's haka in the World Cup semi-final.

England head coach Eddie Jones pushed ahead with the decision to use the V-shaped response ahead of Saturday's clash.

But England have been slapped with a fine by World Rugby for breaching rules that a team must not cross the halfway line during the opposition's pre-match ritual.

According to the Guardian, the World Cup finalists have been fined less than the £2,500 France were forced to pay for adopting a similar formation in the 2011 World Cup final.

England captain Owen Farrell took up his position at the apex of his side's V formation and was spotted grinning when it was being formed.

The 28-year-old England star said after the match: "We knew we had to be in a radius behind them.

PA

"We wanted to not just stand there and let them come at us.

"We wanted to be respectful, but we didn't just want to stand in a flat line."

Several England players crossed the halfway line as they formed the V shape, and officials could be spotted asking them to move back.

But they failed to push back the likes of Mark Wilson, Elliot Daly, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ben Youngs, Billy Vunipola and Joe Marler.

Reports emerged on Monday that England could face a fine for their pre-match stance against the defending world champions.

PA

PA

PA

And Vunipola admitted that it was part of England's plan to rattle their opposition before the semi-final clash went ahead.

"We talked about it as a team, but everything has to get past the boss," the 28-year-old said.

"He gave us the idea.

"We wanted to be respectful, but we wanted to also make sure that they understood that we would be ready for the fight.

"We knew it would rile them up -- it probably felt like we disrespected them.

PA

PA

"We meant no offence by it, we just wanted to let them know that we were ready for the challenge ahead.

"There have been a few times in the past when the All Blacks have done that and blown the opposition away.

"We put accountability on ourselves to back it up and I thought we did."

England secured a sensational victory over New Zealand after they beat them 19-7 at the International Stadium Yokohama and booked their place in the World Cup final.

Jones' men will play against South Africa in the final at the International Stadium Yokohama on 2nd November.

Meanwhile, New Zealand will clash with Wales in a third-place play-off match on 1st November in Chofu.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: New Zealand, Rugby, Rugby news, All Blacks, England, rugby world cup