Zinzan Brooke performs haka at Louis Marchesi in Norwich

Zinzan Brooke, 59, popped into the Louis Marchesi on Wednesday evening and explained he was having "a bit of a session" while visiting friends in Norfolk.

At one point in the night, Brooke - who played in the New Zealand team that won the first Rugby World Cup in 1987 - started chatting to pub-goers about England star Joe Marler's recent comments that the haka is "ridiculous" and should be "binned".

Zinzan Brooke - pictured here playing for the Barbarians - played for the winning New Zealand team in the 1987 World Cup (Image: PA) The haka is a ceremonial dance in Māori culture that the New Zealand rugby team performs before matches to intimidate their opponents.

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Cameron Phillips, 53, was in the pub at the time and said Brooke seemed "riled" by Marler's statement.

Joe Marler (pictured) had "riled" Brooke up with his comments about the haka (Image: Mike Egerton/PA Wire)

"Marler had clearly touched a nerve by saying the haka should be binned," he said.

“Brooke is a staunch Māori so he was riled by Marler saying that. I think the Māori pride was hurt."

He said the conversation led to Brooke offering to perform the dance to the pub.

“He did it full-on," Mr Phillips recalled. 

Zinzan Brooke performed with "such gusto" (Image: SWNS)

"You could feel it in him. Zinzan did the haka with real passion - he stood in front of us as though he was at Twickenham. 

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"The locals were stunned to see one of the world's greatest-ever sportsmen perform the haka with such gusto."

Locals at the pub were stunned by the performance (Image: SWNS)

He added Brooke's patriotism shone through over the course of the encounter.

"He's a true Kiwi and Māori - a friend of ours is a Kiwi and Zinzan sent a personal message to her.

"It was a really amazing evening."