Millar medal antics anger Aussies

THE Australian Rugby Union confirmed yesterday it had received complaints from fans about the clumsy presentation of medals to the vanquished Wallabies by former Irish international Syd Millar, the chairman of the International Rugby Board.

At one point Dr Millar appeared to be playing a bizarre game of quoits as he hurriedly flung the medals, attached to ribbons, around the heads of Australian players and officials on a dais.

The Wallaby players and staff are known to have been angered by the Irishman’s unseemly haste and apparent disrespect. This comes after relations between the IRB and the ARU soured months ago over issues such as the pricing of official travel packages for overseas fans, ticketing, corporate hospitality and other issues.

Dr Millar yesterday conceded the ceremony was rushed. He said no disrespect was intended to the Wallabies and blamed his unorthodox medal presentation style on television scheduling demands due to Saturday’s thriller going into extra time.

“There was someone from television telling us to hurry up as we walked on to the ground,” he said. “It’s not like the Olympics when there are three people on the dais.” Australian rugby officials were upset that senior members of the IRB, based in the northern hemisphere, were seen to be supporting England throughout the match.

They were further incensed when Dr Millar, a former player and coach of the British and Irish Lions, appeared to be more garrulous and animated with the England players, some of whom reportedly saw the World Cup victory as revenge for their defeat by the Wallabies in the 2001 Lions tour to Australia.

Proposals for a new Nine Nations Championship have been tabled as international rugby bosses consider the best way to capitalise on the success of the World Cup.

Australian Rugby Union ARU boss John O’Neill revealed plans for a biennial tournament between the Six Nations and Tri-Nations giants are under consideration with 2006 earmarked for its introduction. The idea was presented by SANZAR, the governing body for rugby in South Africa, New Zealand and Australia, who are looking to move away from the current November tour format of one-off Tests against European sides.

O’Neill yesterday announced the plans are for the tournament to be played in Europe every other year, with the nine teams split into three pools.

Any new tournament would require the official stamp of approval from the International Rugby Board, and there are immediate concerns about the introduction of such a tournament.

Would a new championship, excluding the minnows and Argentina, not devalue the World Cup, particularly as no country outside the top nine made the quarter-finals this year?

And what of the minnows? How would a new tournament assist them in developing?

O’Neill stressed that both points were under consideration. “The fine details still have to be worked out, but we are stressing if it comes off, it will not threaten the World Cup,” he said.

“These ideas should not be taken with the view that the minor nations are suddenly being excluded.

“I have had discussions with officials from Tonga, Samoa, Argentina, USA and Canada about improving the position of the minor nations.”

O’Neill also suggested a combined Pacific Island team be admitted to an expanded Super 12 from 2006.

SANZAR’s contract with News Limited runs through until 2005 but renegotiation plans are underway and it is thought the next contract is unlikely to be as lucrative for rugby.

New Zealand officials are therefore interested in a new way of boosting their revenue.

Money is not something the ARU needs to be overly concerned about anymore given they are set to pocket around E28 million from the World Cup.