Rugby World Cup 2011
Horan defends Ireland comments
ESPNscrum Staff
September 24, 2011
Former Australia international Tim Horan attends an ARU press conference after being announced as one of the newly appointed 'ARU Classic Wallabies Statesmen', Australian Rugby Union Headquarters, Sydney, Australia, April 20, 2009
Tim Horan angered Ireland boss Declan Kidney with his comments on last weekend's win over Australia © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: Declan Kidney | Tim Horan
Tournaments/Tours: Rugby World Cup
Teams: Australia | Ireland

Tim Horan has stood by his claim that Ireland backs coach Alan Gaffney told him after last Sunday's win over Australia that the victors had feigned injury a number of times during the game down to frustrate their opponents.

Ireland boss Declan Kidney reacted furiously to Horan's allegation, insisting it was "totally untrue" and also "incredulous and slightly scandalous". The two-time Heineken Cup winner was adamant that not only had Gaffney not spoken to Horan in the Irish dressing room, as the Wallaby legend had claimed, the pair had not spoken at all after the game.

However, Horan reiterated his allegation during an appearance on the Fox Sports Rugby World Cup Centre show.

"After the game I went down, just outside the dressing rooms and onto the field and Alan Gaffney was there," he said. "I know Alan Gaffney very well, we were Wallabies selectors together. I had a great chat to him, applauding him for the tactics that they used. I thought they were wonderful tactics in the conditions.

"I definitely spoke to him. Gaffney's a lovely bloke and I didn't want to drag him into this."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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