Fans condemn IRB 'double standards'
Source: Agencies |
October 1, 2011, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
FANS clamored to social networking sites yesterday to condemn the leniency of Rugby World Cup organizers toward England after its admission that two coaches illegally switched balls for conversion attempts during last week's pool match against Romania.
England's Rugby Football Union stepped in to suspend kicking coach Dave Alred and fitness coach Paul Stridgeon from today's match against Scotland. The self-imposed sanction was accepted by Rugby World Cup Limited as punishment enough.
Debate around the issue became inflamed when it emerged that Cup organizers fined Samoa winger Alesana Tuilagi US$10,000 for wearing a mouthguard made by a company which is not a tournament sponsor.
Public donations
Fans bridled at what they perceived as inequity between the decision not to impose a penalty on England, one of the rugby world's richest nations, but to fine a Samoa squad which had to call on public donations just to fund its World Cup campaign.
Accusations of double standards and of favoritism toward the northern hemisphere abounded and some fans called for southern hemisphere nations to quit the International Rugby Board and form their own world body.
The IRB defended its decisions, saying the 20 teams competing at the Cup had been warned repeatedly of the consequences of using non-approved equipment.
Fairfax media commentator Duncan Johnstone led a chorus of outrage at the apparent disparity between the penalties imposed on England and Samoa.
"Swapping balls for a conversion is breaking the rules. England attempted that not once, but twice during their big win over Romania. It was blatant ..."
England's Rugby Football Union stepped in to suspend kicking coach Dave Alred and fitness coach Paul Stridgeon from today's match against Scotland. The self-imposed sanction was accepted by Rugby World Cup Limited as punishment enough.
Debate around the issue became inflamed when it emerged that Cup organizers fined Samoa winger Alesana Tuilagi US$10,000 for wearing a mouthguard made by a company which is not a tournament sponsor.
Public donations
Fans bridled at what they perceived as inequity between the decision not to impose a penalty on England, one of the rugby world's richest nations, but to fine a Samoa squad which had to call on public donations just to fund its World Cup campaign.
Accusations of double standards and of favoritism toward the northern hemisphere abounded and some fans called for southern hemisphere nations to quit the International Rugby Board and form their own world body.
The IRB defended its decisions, saying the 20 teams competing at the Cup had been warned repeatedly of the consequences of using non-approved equipment.
Fairfax media commentator Duncan Johnstone led a chorus of outrage at the apparent disparity between the penalties imposed on England and Samoa.
"Swapping balls for a conversion is breaking the rules. England attempted that not once, but twice during their big win over Romania. It was blatant ..."
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