France’s Rougerie accused of eye-gouging
French centre Aurelien Rougerie was accused Wednesday of eye-gouging
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw in the closing minutes of the World Cup
final amid swirling speculation over the incident.
Video images released by Sky Television in New Zealand show
Rougerie’s fingers move across the eyes of McCaw who was lying trapped
at the bottom of a ruck three minutes before the end of the game won by
the All Blacks 8-7.
McCaw, who is leading the All Blacks on a victory tour through the
main cities of New Zealand, confirmed he “got a poke in the eye” in
Sunday’s match but he did not know if it was deliberate.
All Blacks backrower Kieran Read told Television New Zealand he did
not see the incident but “at the time, the skip said he was getting
eye-gouged. Obviously something has happened.”
Sky’s “Reunion” programme host Tony Johnson identified the player
involved in the video as Rougerie and commentator Grant Nisbett
described the footage as “damning”.
Although eye-gouging can carry a six-month suspension, the All Blacks
have played down the incident and said they do not want to make an issue
of it.
An International Rugby Board spokesman also confirmed the citing
period for the game was over.
Before departing New Zealand late Tuesday, the French management
refused to comment on the allegations. However, French media manager
Lionel Rossigneux did accuse McCaw of kneeing one of their players in
the face in the game.
“A knee hit the face of Morgan Parra by Richie McCaw,” Rossigneux
told the New Zealand Herald.
“We just found it a bit sad that after the Rugby World Cup, there is
still some stories in the newspa per rather than celebrating the All
Blacks’ victory,” he added.
McCaw required medical treatment for the eye incident and was seen to
speak to referee Craig Joubert before playing on. The release of the
video footage brought the curtain down on a controversial end to the
World Cup for France.
WELLINGTON, Thursday, AFP |