- France international Jegou resumes rugby after rape allegations
- Former Man Utd star Yorke named coach of Trinidad and Tobago
- Botswana's new president sworn in after historic election upset
- Death toll rises to 12 in Serbia train station roof collapse: minister
- US announces $425 mn in new Ukraine security aid
- Portraits of slain leaders watch out on Hezbollah's battered Beirut bastion
- Biden bites baby: a last week of US election oddities
- Emery says Villa are underdogs against Spurs
- Verstappen hit with five-place grid penalty at Brazilian Grand Prix
- South Carolina to execute Black man for shooting store clerk
- New Zealand captain Barrett says Marler has 'loaded gun' with haka jibe
- Kenya reintroduces tax reforms with new deputy president
- Crunch time for bruised Dortmund as Leipzig come to town
- Man City face injury 'emergency': Guardiola
- Sabalenka and Swiatek in No.1 showdown at WTA Finals
- For a blind runner, the New York marathon is about 'vibrations'
- Trump, Harris battle for Wisconsin amid blowback on violent rhetoric
- Zverev downs Tsitsipas to book place in semis of Paris Masters
- New Zealand still the team to beat for England's Genge
- Kohli fails as India slump in chaotic 10 minutes in third Test
- Valencia MotoGP cancelled due to deadly floods
- ExxonMobil profits dip as it gives back almost $10 bn to investors
- Gaza polio vaccinations to resume Saturday: WHO
- Spain flood deaths top 200, more troops join rescue
- Ruben Amorim: The new 'Special One'?
- India limp to 86-4 as spinners dominate in third Test
- Ruben Amorim named as new Manchester United manager
- Global stocks diverge, oil prices gain on geopolitical fears
- Arsenal 'right in the mix' in Premier League race, says Arteta
- North Korea says will stand by Russia until 'victory' in Ukraine
- Slot on Liverpool learning curve
- Indonesia tribe's homeland at risk after losing final appeal: NGOs
- 'Brat' named word of the year by Collins dictionary
- Harris, Trump converge on Milwaukee as US election looms
- New Zealand 192-6 after Jadeja strikes for India in third Test
- Taiwan races to remove oil from grounded Chinese ship
- On Belgian coast, fishing on horseback -- and saving a tradition
- French brushmakers stage 'comeback' with pivot to luxury market
- 'Recovery tool': theatre helps Ukrainian soldiers reintegrate
- Indonesia adds Google Pixel phones to ban list with iPhone 16
- US election race awaits employment data
- German law easing legal gender change comes into force
- Botswana leader concedes defeat after party drubbed in election
- Napoli players in Conte's good books as they seek sixth win in a row
- Fresh strikes hit south Beirut after Israeli evacuation calls
- India's capital chokes in smog after firework ban flouted
- Climate shifts and urbanisation drive Nepal dengue surge
- Jets snap five-game skid with thrilling 21-13 win over Texans
- 'On top of the world': Japan hails Ohtani series triumph
- Asian stocks mostly fall, tracking global slide
New Zealand captain Barrett says Marler has 'loaded gun' with haka jibe
New Zealand captain Scott Barrett suggested England's Joe Marler had "loaded the gun" ahead of Saturday's clash at Twickenham after calling on the All Blacks to ditch their pre-match ritual haka.
Marler, not playing on Saturday, has since apologised for his remarks which England captain Jamie George said may have "prodded the bear".
It was a sentiment echoed by All Blacks skipper Barrett, who made it clear his side had no intention of ditching the Maori war dance.
"He has probably loaded the gun hasn't he?," said Barrett when asked about Marler's comments at New Zealand's hotel on Friday.
"I guess there always opinions about the haka and its place. It is hugely important to us and has been to the All Blacks for a long time, we get a lot from it."
But the lock played down suggestions Marler's words would fuel New Zealand, with England having won just eight of their previous 45 Tests against the All Blacks and losing their last two encounters -- 16-15 and 24-17 reverses in Dunedin and Auckland in July.
"We don't need any extra motivation heading to Twickenham against a team that would desperately love to beat us so we have got to respect what is coming," said Barrett, whose brothers Beauden and Jordie are also in the starting XV.
"England haven't had a Test match since they played us in July so they'll have that stone in their shoe that they've been carrying for a while and they'll be keen to shake that off with a good performance," he added.
"Up front they always pose a threat –- George Martin, Jamie George, Maro Itoje. They've got a strong connection there.
"If they get gainline and fast ball for Marcus Smith and the backs they have, you can end up chasing the game. So it's about controlling the breakdown and getting good ball. It'll be an arm wrestle."
New Zealand lost three of their six matches in the southern hemisphere Rugby Championship, but Barrett said: "I feel like we've learnt a lot from the summer series and we're excited about whats ahead.
"We'll see in the next three Test matches (if we have our aura). We're playing the best of the northern hemisphere (they also take on France and Ireland this trip) so it's a great opportunity for this team."
F.Cardoso--PC