Healey blasts "cowardly" McRae
June 24, 2001

Austin Healey has branded New South Wales full-back Duncan McRae's savage attack on Lions team-mate Ronan O'Gara as `cowardly'.

McRae has been banned for seven weeks as a result of the sickening punching incident that left the Irishman battered, bloodied and requiring eight stitches.

O'Gara, who had come into contact with his opponent in the break-up of a ruck, was hit repeatedly by the former Saracens fly-half during yesterday's tour match at Sydney Football Stadium, which the Lions won 41-24.

``Duncan took exception to the fact that someone did something perfectly legal to him and decided to punch him 11 times in the face. Cowardly would be the most appropriate way to sum it up,'' said Healey. The versatile England back also reiterated the sentiments of coach Graham Henry that the assault - one of many dust-ups during the Lions' tour - was premeditated.

``There has been a bit of an agenda since we have been out here to rough up the Lions a little bit and it's quite important as a squad we stay on track and try and ignore it all.''

New South Wales spokesman Strath Gordon told Radio 5 Live that contrary to suggestions yesterday's events were not a `softening up' of the tourists ahead of the first Test.

``I don't think it's related to what the Australian team do, they will be more interested in the Lions' tactics and the way they are playing the game,'' he said.

``It was a very disappointing incident in what was otherwise a pretty good game of rugby. Duncan McRae has paid the price. He knows he has tarnished the image of the game in a time we are trying to spread the rugby gospel and in getting sent-off he prevented his side remaining competitive. He lost control and has been suitably punished.''

But Healey disagreed that the 49-day ban set by the three-man International Rugby Board panel, which considered McRae's previously unblemished record, had dished out a harsh enough penalty.

``It's supposed to be mandatory of six weeks for a punching incident and if it's six weeks for a punch that's 66 weeks by my reckoning. People do lose their temper in rugby, it's a physical game but I am not saying it's acceptable and I think maybe the punishment should be slightly longer,'' he said.

``It's up to the disciplinary committee though and not me to comment on that, really.''

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