Punch-ups might once have been regarded as part-and-parcel of rugby but worried World Cup coaches have given a blunt warning to their players: steer clear of the rough stuff.
New Zealand and South Africa, who have produced some of rugby’s toughest no-nonsense enforcers over the years, are particularly concerned that ill-discipline could be costly as the tournament hots up.
Fijian winger Rupeni Caucaunibuca has already been banned for two matches after television replays caught him pole-axeing French flanker Olivier Magne with a fearsome left hook in Brisbane on Saturday.
All Blacks forward Marty Holah said New Zealand would be squeaky clean throughout the World Cup, saying players had been told to turn the other cheek by the squads management.
”Especially early on, my understanding is that if you get a yellow card (10-minute spell in the sin-bin) for throwing a punch, you’ll get made an example of,” Holah said.
”It’s not an option. It’s probably in the nature of the tournament and with the rules so clearly stated, we just have to avoid it as much as we can.”
His team-mate Caleb Ralph said the message from the All Black coaching staff about punching was ”don’t even think about it.”
South Africa, who saw themselves branded a ‘disgrace to rugby’ after two players were banned following the bruising Tri-Nations game with Australia this season, have told players violence will not be tolerated.
Springboks manager Gideon Sam said squad members would be fined heavily for foul play as the South Africans attempted to clean up their image.
”There is a system of fines and it’s quite heavy. Unnecessary dirty play is not acceptable,” said Sam. ”It’s an internal matter for the team. There is a gentleman’s agreement and we don’t talk about it.
”They only get it in their letter and sometimes the coach doesn’t even know how much it is.”
South Africa meet England in a crunch showdown in Perth on Saturday – a replay of the spiteful international at Twickenham last year when Springboks lock Jannes Labuschagne was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Jonny Wilkinson.
Both Springboks captain Corne Krige and England coach Clive Woodward have attempted to take some of the sting out of the encounter this week, however, playing down the chances of another ill-tempered scrap.
Krige said South Africa had conducted a sweeping review of discipline after the Twickenham match, with individuals monitored rigorously last season.
”We started working on that after our end of year tour last year, a count was kept on all the players right through the Super 12, right through and all individuals in consideration for the World Cup,” he said.
”It is something the coaches and management have been working over a long period, habitual criminals have been spoken to and they have been hard.
”But our penalty count has come down in Super 12 and Tri-Nations, and we will keep working on that.”
Woodward meanwhile said the ill-feeling from last year had been consigned to history. ”I think we must forget about last November and I think everyone involved has apologised and just wants to forget about it.” – Sapa-AFP