Terenure has made allegations of attempted gouging during a tour match in Buenos Aires, which was abandoned last week.
The team, who are the AIL champions, embarked on a three-match tour in Argentina. However, their first match was called off after only 25 minutes of play, with Terenure leading 7-0. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result of the incident.
Originally scheduled to face Newman, the club associated with former Puma and Leinster star Felipe Contepomi, there was a last-minute change to the fixture. CUBA (Club Universitario de Buenos Aires) stepped in to fill the gap at short notice.
Releasing a statement on the incident, Terenure head coach Sean Skehan said: “The respective level of the two teams seems to have been quite disproportionate in terms of quality, with the Terenure team having recently being (sic) crowned as domestic champions of Ireland in May of this year and the side representing CUBA club being predominantly made of 3/4th grade players.
“Physically this resulted in a very unbalanced matchup. The game was ultimately abandoned after about 25 minutes of play with the score 7-0 in Terenure College’s favour.
“The CUBA club XV had approached the match in a manner that totally went against the spirit of the game. Multiple acts of off the ball foul play including punching, attempted gouging and dangerously late and high collisions resulted in significant distress amongst the Terenure playing group. Concerns of the nature of the game were raised with the referee and CUBA club’s coaches, with unsatisfactory responses delivered.
“The Terenure players felt if they had reacted to the many instances of physical provocation, the physical imbalance of the sides which greatly favoured Terenure would have resulted in serious injury being inflicted upon the CUBA club’s players.
“Given this state of affairs and the incredibly chaotic nature of the officiating of the fixture, the Terenure team decided to withdraw from the game. I would like to express my great disappointment as an officer of the club that such a set of circumstances unfolded as they did.
“Touring is an integral part of the game of rugby union, where friendships are born and lifelong memories are made. I do not believe the behaviour exhibited by CUBA club’s players and coaches reflected positively on their club and greatly sullied our touring parties experience of what should have been an excellent occasion.”
Nigel Owens ranks his top 5 international captain
#5. Chris Robshaw (England)
Owens said: Some people will be surprised at this one to start off. His misfortune was perhaps to be leading England during a difficult time, but he always gave everything for the cause, encouraging others to follow suit, and he was a nice guy off the pitch.”
