Thursday, September 9, 2010

Not content with hosting the world’s most famous round of rugby sevens, the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union (HKRFU) has upped the ante by bidding to stage a British and Irish Lions match before the tour of Australia in 2013. It already has a strong case to land the tie after hosting a lucrative Bledisloe Cup encounter between the Wallabies and All Blacks two years ago.

“We understand the Lions are looking at different options but we believe Hong Kong would make a great host for such an historic match,” HKRFU chairman Trevor Gregory said.

“The Lions have a unique heritage in international sport and Hong Kong is a proven venue for making rugby history, as was seen in the positive reaction to our hosting the Bledisloe Cup in 2008 and again this year.”

PETER DE VILLIERS has landed himself in hot water after accusing match officials of conspiring against his Springbok side in last month’s opening Tri Nations matches.

The stressed coach faces a misconduct charge for claiming the All Blacks had the benefit of a 16th man - the referee -
in their two home Tests, because they’re hosting the World Cup next year and need to attract fans.

The Springboks were hammered in both, leading De Villiers to say: “Maybe I can’t say it in public, but we do have a World Cup in New Zealand next year and maybe it was the right thing for them to win the games so they can attract more people to the games next year.”

SANZAR (South Africa, New Zealand, Australia rugby) has responded, however, ordering the coach to attend a judicial hearing in the next week.

“Having considered the response from South Africa, we have determined that Peter de Villiers’ comments may constitute a breach of the SANZAR code of conduct and warrant further consideration by a SANZAR judicial officer.”