All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has described England’s haka response as ‘fantastic’, but they have copped a hefty fine for the act.

As the All Blacks lined up for their traditional pre-game haka in last weekend’s semi-final, the English players spread out to form a reverse V-shaped triangle. Officials had to ask a couple players to retreat when they moved too close to New Zealand.

England have since been fined a reported fee of $2,500 (R37,459) by World Rugby for breaching protocol by crossing the halfway line.

Despite the response from England, Hansen has said this week that the All Blacks had no issue with it.

‘Joe [Marler] didn’t go back when he was told two or three times. The haka requires a response. It’s a challenge to you, personally, and it requires a response.

‘I thought it was brilliant and quite imaginative, too.’

The haka response has gone viral on YouTube, racking up more than 4.5 million views since Saturday.