The pillar of the XV de la Rose, at the heart of a controversy this week after having demanded the removal of the New Zealand haka, announced this Sunday that he was renouncing the selection. Definitely, he who had already retired in 2018 before reconsidering his decision.
Joe Marler announced this Sunday that he was retiring from international football and, this time, the English pillar (34 years old, 95 caps) assured that his decision was final. A clarification because the emblematic Harlequins player had already made this announcement in 2018 (to spend more time with his family), before returning to it to participate in the 2019 World Cup (where the XV de la Rose reached the final, beaten by South Africa).
“I know I've done this loads of times before. So I should experience it more peacefully but it's the real thing this time, so it makes me a little weird, Joe Marler said on Instagram. It's time for me to move on. (…) I feel very sad but also very proud to have had the chance, over the years, to represent England. I have so many good memories in this white jersey.
Selected for the November tour, he left the team at the start of the week
The prop was selected by England coach Steve Borthwick among the 36 players to play on the November tour, before leaving the training camp on Monday for “personal reasons” and to forfeit the first test, this Saturday, against New Zealand.
“I've been really, really lucky to experience both mega highs and mega lows in the England jersey. And I will cherish them all because they all matter”Joe Marler continued.
This announcement follows the controversy he sparked mid-week by writing on “the haka was ridiculous” and that he “had to remove it”. Faced with numerous and outraged reactions, he had to close his account a few hours before issuing a lengthy apology.
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“I just wanted to thank you for your support over the years. I can't wait now to sit back and be one of you now and enjoy the progress of this England team as a true fan. Thank you for everything, goodbye.”
“Joe was a tough, uncompromising competitor on the field, and a genuine, one-of-a-kind personality. »
England manager Steve Borthwick
Steve Borthwick commented on this announcement, assuring that Marler had been a “exceptional servant” English rugby. “Joe was a tough, uncompromising competitor on the field, and a genuine, one-of-a-kind personality. We will miss his humor, his sense of fun and the energy he brought to the team. We are grateful for everything he has given to English rugby.”greeted the coach of the XV de la Rose.
On Saturday, after the test match lost by England at Twickenham against the All Blacks, Marler went to see the New Zealand coach, Scott Robertson, to apologize to him after his comments on the haka.
