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England messed up their response to the Haka before the Rugby World Cup semi-final victory over New Zealand , four of Eddie Jones ‘ players have revealed.
Ben Youngs , Tom Curry , Manu Tuilagi and Joe Marler will appear on The Jonathan Ross Show on ITV on Saturday night.
And during the course of the interview, they reveal that the V-shape they formed in response to the Maori war dance was actually meant to be a semi-circle.
“We met the night before and we said it’s a challenge and we want to face the challenge and make sure they know we are up for it so let’s get into a semi circle”, Youngs, the architect of the scheme, revealed, as quoted by the Daily Mail .
“A few lads were still confused…”
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant picturesShow all 100 1 /100England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
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England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
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England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
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England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
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England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
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England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
Getty Images
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
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England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
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England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
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England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
AFP via Getty Images
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
AFP via Getty Images
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
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England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
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England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
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England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
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England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
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England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
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England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
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England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
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England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
Getty Images
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
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England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
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England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
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England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
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England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
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England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
Getty Images
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
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England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
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England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
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England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
AFP via Getty Images
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
AFP via Getty Images
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
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England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
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England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
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England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
Getty Images
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
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England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
Getty Images
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
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England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
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England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
AFP via Getty Images
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
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England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
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England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
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England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
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England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
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England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
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England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
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England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
Getty Images
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
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England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
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England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
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England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
AFP via Getty Images
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
EPA
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
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England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
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England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
Getty Images
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
REUTERS
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
Getty Images
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
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England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
Getty Images
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
AFP via Getty Images
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
AFP via Getty Images
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
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England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
AP
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
REUTERS
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
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England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
AFP via Getty Images
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
AFP via Getty Images
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
AP
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
REUTERS
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
AP
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
REUTERS
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
Getty Images
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
AFP via Getty Images
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
Getty Images
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
AP
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
AP
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
AP
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
AFP via Getty Images
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
AP
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
AFP via Getty Images
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
REUTERS
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
REUTERS
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
EPA
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
REUTERS
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
REUTERS
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
PA
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
Getty Images
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
AP
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
Getty Images
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
EPA
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
AFP via Getty Images
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
AFP via Getty Images
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
AFP via Getty Images
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
AFP via Getty Images
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
AP
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
Getty Images
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
EPA
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
AP
England vs New Zealand in 100 brilliant pictures England beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final
AP
Joe Marler elaborated on the confusion his teammate’s plan caused.
“The issue was, Ben drew it up the night before… He got up and he did it on a flipchart and he marked it all out with Xs and Os.
“The issue I had with it is I look at that board and thought, “It’s not to scale”... I thought we were meant to be closer than what the picture said.
“[I went over the line] which I thought we were all going to do but then I looked back and they weren’t doing it but I thought, I’ve already committed now.”
England drew plaudits from many corners of the rugby world for their response, with some suggesting it gave them a psychological advantage in the opening minutes of the game.
Tuilagi scored a try inside the first two minutes to propel England to an eventual 19-7 victory.
Eddie Jones’ side fell short in the final, losing to an inspired South Africa 32-12.
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