Foul play claims ‘a joke’

Press, 21 June 1984, Page 36

Foul play claims ‘a joke’

PA Auckland The French rugby coach, Jacques Fouroux took the bite out of charges of foul play against his team yesterday when he told a press conference in Auckland that allegations of eye-biting and head-butting were “a joke.”

Mr Fouroux, in his first major public statement on the charges, responsded light-heartedly to claims that his players bad btiten at least one New Zealand player in the first test on Saturday and had been guilty of head-butting in their match against Hawke’s Bay on Tuesday.

He said he saw no need to take the claims seriously and reiterated an earlier comment that when dirty play was alleged, the French were not the first to complain. When Mr Fouroux began speaking to reporters, however, he seemed ready to fire a salvo of countercharges against New Zea-

land players. “I have especially asked our doctor to be present at this press conference,” he said. “Because since the test we also have been counting stitches. These injuries also have been caused by bites.” Mr Fouroux’s tone quickly became tongue in cheek. “The doctor would like to assure New Zealand players that no French player has rabies. We would therefore like to think that no New Zealand player has rabies.” Mr Fouroux, in a moment’s seriousness, admitted that there was good foundation to the charges of foul play against both teams.

“We’re certainly not going to complain about these incidents,” he said. “To us it all seems like an enormous joke. I would point out that the only two direct warnings given to players on this tour by referees have been to New Zealand players — to Mark Shaw in the test

and to a Hawke’s Bay player.

“I would like to treat these claims as they deserve, as a joke, but these things have been said and written.” Mr Fouroux was amazed that charges of eye-biting have emanated from Saturday’s test as a result of complaints by AH Black forwards and that when head-butting allegations were levelled on Tuesday it was again a forward who had complained. “For those players to complain is surprising,” he said. “Rugby is a game played with virile fashion ... it is not a game for children.

“I am surprised a lot of complaining has been done by props because props are usually a closed group who don’t say much. They are in a position where they are able to express themselves with strength and it is surprising that this complaining has gone on.”