Rugby World Cup
Kidney bites back at Horan comments
ESPNscrum Staff
September 23, 2011
Declan Kidney the head Coach of Ireland during the match between Ireland and New Zealand at Croke Park in Dublin Ireland on November 15, 2008.
Kidney was unimpressed with Horan's inflammatory comments © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: Declan Kidney | Tim Horan
Tournaments/Tours: Rugby World Cup
Teams: Ireland

Ireland boss Declan Kidney has reacted angrily to Tim Horan's suggestions that his side feigned injury against Australia in a bid to slow down the pace of the game.

Wallaby great Horan, writing in his column in an Australian newspaper, accused the Irish of subterfuge in Saturday's 15-6 victory at Eden Park. "Ireland had a deliberate plan to fake injuries each time there was a breakdown in play so they could slow the game down and frustrate the Wallabies," said Horan. "How can I be sure? By talking to Irish assistant coach Alan Gaffney in the dressing rooms afterwards."

Kidney is furious that Gaffney was implicated and dismissed the claim made by Horan, who won 80 caps for Australia between 1989 and 2000.

"What I can tell you for definite is that the reporter in question (Horan) was never in the dressing room," said Kidney. "The coach in question (Gaffney) never spoke to him, so I'll let you make your own inferences into how he feels he can quote something that was never said.

"It's incredulous and slightly scandalous that he'd try to bring one of his fellow countrymen into something that is totally untrue. It's for other people to have their standards in life."

Horan criticised referee Bryce Lawrence and stated he should not officiate another match at the World Cup, but admitted "Ireland deserved to win and always would have won".

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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