New Zealand Rugby
All Blacks escape injury after "skinhead" attack
Scrum.com
January 13, 2009
New Zealand fly-half stephen Donald breaks through the England defence at Jade Stadium, June 21 2008
Fly-half Stephen Donald was one of three All Blacks involved in the attack © Getty Images
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All Blacks Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald and Jamie Mackintosh have escaped injury after reportedly being attacked by a group of "skinheads" following a concert.

The New Zealand Herald reported that the trio were set upon by a group of "skinhead redneck types" following a Blacks Seeds concert at the Coroglen Tavern on the country's North Island. Sean Campbell, a taxi driver, witnessed the incident before taking the players back to their hotel.

"It was like an ambush," he told The New Zealand Herald. "Six or seven of these guys surrounded them and started laying into them. It was like these guys were looking for a fight, a scalp, they knew who they were. They [the players] did nothing to provoke it and they didn't even fight back."

An altercation had broken out over where the players were standing and at one point during the attack Mackintosh was forced to shield Donald with his body.

Tom Downey, agent to Mackintosh and Cowan, spoke with the players following the incident. "Unfortunately, dealing with these sorts of incidents was a fact of life for high-profile people," he said. "It's probably a good example of the potential for high-profile people to be the target of a certain group of people. It's something all high-profile sports people need to be aware of."

All Blacks manager Darren Shand was also quick to praise the manner in which the players conducted themselves. "We haven't been in touch with the players as yet but from the reports, it appears they did the right thing and got themselves away from a dangerous and difficult situation," he said.

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