IRB hits back at NZ as rows fester
Source: Agencies |
October 5, 2011, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THE International Rugby Board yesterday set itself on a collision course with New Zealand over its threat to boycott the 2015 World Cup as off-field controversies overshadowed preparations for the quarterfinals.
On a day when Samoan center Eliota Sapulo Fuimaona was banned from all rugby, Italy hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini suspended for 15 weeks and England center Manu Tuilagi fined, France was first to name its side for this weekend's matches.
But all of this was overshadowed when the IRB ratcheted up the public relations battle with the New Zealand Rugby Union, saying it could live without the All Blacks, should they carry out their threat to snub the 2015 tournament.
Last week, NZRU Chief Executive Steve Tew said they lost NZ$13.2 million (US$10 million) in revenue this year because of the Rugby World Cup and unless the world governing body changed its commercial model, it would consider not playing in England in four years' time.
"Does the World Cup need the All Blacks? It would be good for the All Blacks to be there," IRB Chief Executive Mike Miller told local radio yesterday. "Everyone is replaceable."
The All Blacks team, however, said they felt any World Cup without them in it would lack legitimacy. "You've just got to see what rugby means in this country to think of it as inconceivable," All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith said.
France coach Marc Lievermont made two changes to his side for the quarterfinal against England in Auckland, on Saturday, calling up prop Nicholas Mas and loose forward Imanol Harinordoquy to add some experience to his forward pack.
The French were beaten 14-19 by Tonga in their final Pool A clash and while they were battling reports of division within their camp, the English were wary of the danger they posed.
"I suspect they will be really committed to playing," England lock Tom Palmer said.
Judicial hearing
Samoa center Fuimaono was suspended from all rugby for failing to appear at a judicial hearing in Auckland yesterday after he criticized Welsh referee Nigel Owens on social networking website Twitter.
The 30-year-old later told Television New Zealand that he had not even been informed of the date and time of the hearing and would fight the charges.
Italy hooker Ghiraldini also fell foul of tournament officials when he was banned for 15 weeks for touching the eyes of Ireland prop Cian Healy during their Pool C clash in Dunedin on Sunday.
Healy was penalized for retaliating after the incident in Ireland's 36-6 victory at Stadium Otago, though television replays showed Ghiraldini's hand was near Healy's eyes as the pair wrestled at the breakdown.
England center Tuilagi was fined NZ$10,000 for wearing a branded mouthguard, a week after his brother Alesana, the Samoa winger, was fined for the same thing.
On a day when Samoan center Eliota Sapulo Fuimaona was banned from all rugby, Italy hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini suspended for 15 weeks and England center Manu Tuilagi fined, France was first to name its side for this weekend's matches.
But all of this was overshadowed when the IRB ratcheted up the public relations battle with the New Zealand Rugby Union, saying it could live without the All Blacks, should they carry out their threat to snub the 2015 tournament.
Last week, NZRU Chief Executive Steve Tew said they lost NZ$13.2 million (US$10 million) in revenue this year because of the Rugby World Cup and unless the world governing body changed its commercial model, it would consider not playing in England in four years' time.
"Does the World Cup need the All Blacks? It would be good for the All Blacks to be there," IRB Chief Executive Mike Miller told local radio yesterday. "Everyone is replaceable."
The All Blacks team, however, said they felt any World Cup without them in it would lack legitimacy. "You've just got to see what rugby means in this country to think of it as inconceivable," All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith said.
France coach Marc Lievermont made two changes to his side for the quarterfinal against England in Auckland, on Saturday, calling up prop Nicholas Mas and loose forward Imanol Harinordoquy to add some experience to his forward pack.
The French were beaten 14-19 by Tonga in their final Pool A clash and while they were battling reports of division within their camp, the English were wary of the danger they posed.
"I suspect they will be really committed to playing," England lock Tom Palmer said.
Judicial hearing
Samoa center Fuimaono was suspended from all rugby for failing to appear at a judicial hearing in Auckland yesterday after he criticized Welsh referee Nigel Owens on social networking website Twitter.
The 30-year-old later told Television New Zealand that he had not even been informed of the date and time of the hearing and would fight the charges.
Italy hooker Ghiraldini also fell foul of tournament officials when he was banned for 15 weeks for touching the eyes of Ireland prop Cian Healy during their Pool C clash in Dunedin on Sunday.
Healy was penalized for retaliating after the incident in Ireland's 36-6 victory at Stadium Otago, though television replays showed Ghiraldini's hand was near Healy's eyes as the pair wrestled at the breakdown.
England center Tuilagi was fined NZ$10,000 for wearing a branded mouthguard, a week after his brother Alesana, the Samoa winger, was fined for the same thing.
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