Friday, August 6, 2010

Rugby: SANZAR reserve judgment until Monday on Peter de Villiers charges of misconduct


South Africa coach Peter de Villiers will learn Monday whether he'll be sanctioned following his misconduct hearing Friday.De Villiers was charged by SANZAR, the governing body for South Africa, New Zealand and Australia's combined rugby competitions, for criticizing the performance of Tri-Nations referees and implying a conspiracy to boost the All Blacks' popularity for their home World Cup next year.SANZAR judicial officer Jannie Lubbe led the hearing in Cape Town. The hearing will held at the South African Rugby Union offices. SANZAR said in a statement he expected to announce his judgment Monday.De Villiers immediately left the hearing and did not speak to reporters.Following two great thrashings of the Springboks by the All Blacks in New Zealand, both refereed by Irishmen Alan Lewis and Alain Rolland, de Villiers questioned their rulings on Fox Sports' 'Rugby Club' program in Australia. That program was held on July 21."I've got my own observations about the last two Tests, and maybe I can't say it in public, but we do have a World Cup in New Zealand next year and maybe it was the right thing for them to win the games so they can attract more people to the games next year," de Villiers said.He clarified the remarks two days later. "My comment during the Rugby Club interview was based on the general view that part of the success of any World Cup event rests on the fact that the host nation has a winning team," he said in a statement."Nevertheless, I regret that this may have created the wrong impression and raised undue concern for SANZAR and the RWC 2011 organizers." he also said. This week, SARU president Oregan Hoskins called the SANZAR charge "a declaration of war by Australia and New Zealand against South Africa," and promised to defend de Villiers "to the hilt."The Springboks' next outing is against the All Blacks on Aug. 21 in Johannesburg.

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