IRB ponder rules overhaul

THE International Rugby Board are considering altering their disciplinary procedures after finding themselves unable to take action over an allegation of foul play during last month’s World Cup final.

The decision relates to the claim France centre Aurelien Rougerie made contact with the eye or eye area of New Zealand captain Richie McCaw. A video of the incident, released three days after the All Blacks’ 8-7 win, appears to show Rougerie raking his hand across McCaw’s eyes, although the New Zealand flanker’s only subsequent comment on the matter was to say he “got a poke in the eye”.

Scott Nowland, the independent citing commissioner, initially determined there had been no acts of foul play after watching camera angles provided by broadcaster Sky NZ. But a few days later new footage emerged, which an IRB statement says “indicated a possible act of foul play involving contact with the eye or eye area had taken place”.