Joe Marler © Getty Images

England international Joe Marler announced his retirement from international rugby on Sunday, just days after urging New Zealand to ditch the haka.

A brilliant international career

After 95 caps and countless memories, @JoeMarler announced his retirement from international rugby.

Thanks for everything Joe pic.twitter.com/vIECeQM5YN

— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) November 3, 2024

The 34-year-old, who retired once in 2018 before returning to help England to the 2019 World Cup finals, was a member of the squad for the current November internationals.

However, he left camp on Monday for personal reasons and did not play in Saturday’s 24-22 defeat to the All Blacks at Twickenham.

His decision marks the end of a 95-cap Test career, although Marler will continue to play for Harlequins until the end of the season.

“Playing for England always felt like I was living in a dream bubble,” he said on Instagram.

“I’ve been waiting for it to happen and I’ll suddenly revert to a gobby, overweight 16-year-old. But you know when it’s time.”

He added: “I can’t do what I used to do as well as I once could. I can’t continue to talk about my family as my priority if I actually am not.

“I want to keep all these memories of my career untainted, both good and bad. I don’t want to leave my house with my children crying. I’m ready to make the change.”

“No Compromise”

England head coach Steve Borthwick paid tribute to Marler saying: “Joe was an outstanding servant of English rugby – a tough, uncompromising competitor on the pitch and a genuine, unique personality off it.

“We will miss his humor, sense of fun and the energy he brought to the team. We are grateful for everything he has given to England rugby and although we will not see him in an England shirt again, he will always be part of this team.”

Marler tried to stir up controversy in the build-up to Saturday’s game, labeling the haka “ridiculous” and saying New Zealand’s pre-game routine “needs binding”.

Haka are ritual war dances that form a significant part of indigenous Maori culture and have long been associated with the All Blacks.

Joe Marler has announced his retirement from international rugby after winning 95 caps for England pic.twitter.com/GFN2d0SuiZ

— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) November 3, 2024

New Zealand coach Scott Robertson responded to Marler’s comments by saying on Thursday: “I know Joe. I wonder if he wished he had phrased it a little better.

“Haka for us is a custom. It’s part of who we are, our DNA.”

Marler, who spoke to Robertson before Saturday’s kick-off at Twickenham, himself apologized to New Zealand fans on Thursday for the “poorly worded tweet”.

“I meant no malice when I asked for this to be removed,” Marler wrote in a new post on social media site X.

“I’m grateful for the education I’ve received about how important the haka is to New Zealand culture, and I hope others have a better understanding.”

He added: “I will now return to my attention-seeking box.”