O'Neill slams Hansen's claims
Oct 23,2012
ARU boss John O'Neill has responded to NZ coach Steve Hansen's claims that Australia are stealing players as being "insulting and ill-informed".
Hansen made the assertion after the world champions' 18-18 draw with the Wallabies on Saturday in which New Zealand-born centre Mike Harris kicked five penalties for Australia.
The All Blacks coach says Australia should concentrate on developing their own talent, rather than trying to build depth by "pinching" New Zealand players.
O'Neill said New Zealand should put their own house in order before criticising Australia, adding "the comments from the All Blacks coach are insulting, ill-informed.
"I would not even want to guess how many players born in the South Pacific islands have worn the All Blacks jersey," he said.
Comments (5)
Oct 23, 2012 at 10:18:30
LOL...the ALL ISLANDERS.
Check yourself before you wreck yourself Hansen, obviously didnt think that one through!
...groot bek.
Oct 23, 2012 at 13:22:07
Green&Gold, don't highlight your ignorance - Australia and NZ are both Islands!
Oct 23, 2012 at 19:29:29
Enough with those pics hakwa. Its getting a bit worrying mate. Australia is not an island for your info. Look o neil has a valid point. The aussies are only copying you guys and it is so true that there has been a stream of non new zealanders playing for the AB's as much as it hurts and you wish it otherwise its the truth and the more debate about it the more exposed it is going to become. Personally it is the way it is, just people are realising it more now that others are following in your footsteps. Also i am proud to be SA as we home grow our players bar one from zimbabwe. now please see the point of my views and do not take it personally
Oct 24, 2012 at 10:29:26
THATS SO TRUE BOK2007... WE HAVE TO BE ONE OF THE ONLY COUNTRYS TO KEEP PRODUCING HOMEGROWN TALENT WEEK AFTER WEEK YEAR AFTER YEAR... OUR COUNTRY STILL HOLDS ON TO THE TRUE ESSENCE OF RUGBY AND THE PASSION THAT BURNS THROUGH THE FANS EVERY WEEK IN S.A IS SOMETHING TRUELY AMAZING.... OUR TEAM IS NOT QUITE THERE YET BUT I BELIVE WE ARE GOING TO WITNESS THE BIRTH OF TRUELY UNSTOPABLE BOK TEAM OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS... AND PEOPLE MIGHT LAUGH WHEN I SAY THIS "AUSSIES KIWIS" I HAVE EVERY BELIEF WE WILL BE WORLD CHAMPIONS THE NEXT TIME ROUND.... GREEN AND GOLD ALWAYS
Oct 23, 2012 at 09:34:01
just like O'Neill to avoid the issue!
How many NZ players are in the rebels and Wallabies again John?????LOL! That's ok John, you can keep them! ;-))