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Cape Town – Despite the conclusion of the rugby World Cup, France are finding it hard to leave New Zealand with their heads held high.
It seems as if the New Zealand media has not left the RWC silver medallists grieve their loss in peace as the New Zealand Herald suggests that France captain and newly crowned IRB Player of the Year, Thierry Dusautoir gouged the eyes of his New Zealand counterpart, Richie McCaw.
Team management have refused to comment on the allegation, said to have taken place in the 77th minute of the Rugby World Cup final.
Instead, they have directed some criticism at McCaw, citing that the All Blacks captain had deliberately extended his knee into France flyhalf, Morgan Parra’s face.
Parra subsequently left the field and was replaced by Francois Trinh-Duc.
"The service of the French team is that we are not doing any comment on that. We just found it a bit sad that after the Rugby World Cup that there is still some stories in the newspaper rather than celebrating the All Blacks' victory.,” French rugby team media manager Lionel Rossigneux said.
According to New Zealand rugby commentator, Keith Quinn, Dusautoir did not offer any concern to McCaw although they were in close proximity of each other.
"It was clearly seen on TV. McCaw needed attention from medical staff,'' Quinn told Radio New Zealand.
"The only video that I've seen is the same as what you could see if you were watching match coverage. But I made the remark it looked like eye-gouging yesterday in a social situation and had confirmation from a source, which I'm saying is close to the New Zealand team, that eye-gouging took place.''
The IRB confirmed that the citing period after a match has already expired and no complaints have been made after Sunday’s final.
However, Quinn feels otherwise.
"I think more needs to be investigated about the incident. The illustrious awarded player of the year surely involves elements of fair play.
"Dusautoir was right there but didn't attempt to offer any concern about about McCaw's condition.''
"This incident, if there is an incident, and there's merit in bringing it up, will surface and then he'll get banged for it,'' he told Radio New Zealand.
"But you can't take that one incident into the award which was taken over a season.''
It seems as if the New Zealand media has not left the RWC silver medallists grieve their loss in peace as the New Zealand Herald suggests that France captain and newly crowned IRB Player of the Year, Thierry Dusautoir gouged the eyes of his New Zealand counterpart, Richie McCaw.
Team management have refused to comment on the allegation, said to have taken place in the 77th minute of the Rugby World Cup final.
Instead, they have directed some criticism at McCaw, citing that the All Blacks captain had deliberately extended his knee into France flyhalf, Morgan Parra’s face.
Parra subsequently left the field and was replaced by Francois Trinh-Duc.
"The service of the French team is that we are not doing any comment on that. We just found it a bit sad that after the Rugby World Cup that there is still some stories in the newspaper rather than celebrating the All Blacks' victory.,” French rugby team media manager Lionel Rossigneux said.
According to New Zealand rugby commentator, Keith Quinn, Dusautoir did not offer any concern to McCaw although they were in close proximity of each other.
"It was clearly seen on TV. McCaw needed attention from medical staff,'' Quinn told Radio New Zealand.
"The only video that I've seen is the same as what you could see if you were watching match coverage. But I made the remark it looked like eye-gouging yesterday in a social situation and had confirmation from a source, which I'm saying is close to the New Zealand team, that eye-gouging took place.''
The IRB confirmed that the citing period after a match has already expired and no complaints have been made after Sunday’s final.
However, Quinn feels otherwise.
"I think more needs to be investigated about the incident. The illustrious awarded player of the year surely involves elements of fair play.
"Dusautoir was right there but didn't attempt to offer any concern about about McCaw's condition.''
"This incident, if there is an incident, and there's merit in bringing it up, will surface and then he'll get banged for it,'' he told Radio New Zealand.
"But you can't take that one incident into the award which was taken over a season.''
