Tew blasts O’Brien’s ‘bully’ allegations

NEW Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew has fired back at Irish billionaire Denis O’Brien’s claims that the All Blacks “bully” Samoan rugby.

O’Brien said this week that he was using his influence to help Samoa retain its players.

“I hate bullies, and New Zealand bullies the islands,” O’Brien was quoted as saying, and after meeting Samoa’s Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, O’Brien said he planned to create a fund large enough to ensure the country’s top 40 players did not have to leave.