English prop Joe Marler (95 caps) announced on Saturday that he was ending his international career at the age of 34, a few days after sparking a controversy over the New Zealand haka, which he considered “ridiculous” before apologizing .
His sudden departure from the English group “for personal reasons” on the sidelines of the first match of the fall tour of the XV de la Rose, against New Zealand (22-24), was a first clue. Joe Marler had returned home to his wife and four children. The English pillar no longer wants to leave his family. This is why he retired internationally, making the news official on social networks.
The Harlequins player has worn the England XV jersey since 2012, played in three World Cups (with an entry into the final of the 2019 edition), achieved the Grand Slam in 2016 and won the Six Nations Tournament also in 2017 and 2020.
He briefly retired from rugby in 2018
“It’s time for me to move on,” he wrote on social media. “I have been very lucky to have both the highest and lowest moments in an England shirt. I will cherish them all, because they all matter.”
In addition to his 95 caps with the XV de la Rose, the prop took part in the British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand in 2017 and played a match with the Barbarians in 2019.
He briefly retired from international rugby in 2018, before returning ahead of the 2019 World Cup.
“Joe has been an exceptional servant of English rugby – a tough and uncompromising competitor on the field, and a genuine and unique personality off it,” commented manager Steve Borthwick.
A controversy to end
A few days before the test lost (24-22) on Saturday by England against the All Blacks, he sparked a controversy by affirming that the haka, a Maori dance that New Zealand rugby players perform before each match, was “ridiculous ” and had to be “deleted”.
He then apologized for this tweet which he considered clumsy, rejecting any “malicious intent”.
During the haka on Saturday, supporters sang their unofficial anthem, “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot”, while England players came to the halfway line to challenge the All Blacks, like the French during the 2007 World Cup.
