RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP BOSSES today apologised to Argentina after a captains photo shoot went ahead without Pumas skipper Julian Montoya, sparking a furious reaction from coach Mario Ledesma.
The event in Townsville on Friday was to promote a double header of rugby action a day later with Australian captain Michael Hooper, New Zealand’s Ardie Savea and South Africa’s Siya Kolisi posing together with the tournament silverware.
But Montoya was absent, as the team had not yet arrived in the northern Queensland town.
A fuming Ledesma slammed the decision to go ahead regardless as “disrespectful” to his team and country, saying “it hurts a lot”.
“The only thing we’re asking is to get treated fairly and with respect and obviously in this case it wasn’t that way,” he said.
Southern hemisphere governing body Sanzaar and Rugby Australia admitted in a statement they made a mistake.
“Sanzaar and Rugby Australia management would like to apologise to Argentina Rugby for the error that led to a photograph being published in the media that misrepresented the Rugby Championship in that it omitted Argentina,” they said.
The two sides added that they took “full responsibility” and “fully understand Argentina Rugby’s disappointment”.
“Sanzaar would like to publicly state that no disrespect was intended,” they said.
“And indeed would like to thank Argentina Rugby for its unselfish and committed contribution to the Rugby Championship, highlighted by the fact that it has played all matches away from home over the last two years.”
Sanzaar explained they decided to press ahead with the session so pictures could be taken of Savea and Kolisi together ahead of what was the historic 100th Test between the two countries.
Hooper was also there to show off the Wallabies’ new indigenous-themed jersey.
“However, during the photo session a communications breakdown led to a photograph being taken of the three attending captains with the trophy, minus the absent Argentina captain,” they added.
The final four rounds of the Rugby Championship are being played entirely in Australia’s Queensland state due to Covid travel restrictions.
He wins the gold and he automatically becomes one of the greatest swimmers in history, double world & double Olympic champion with more to come. Along with Paul odonavan that’s 2 athletes in the highest possible echelon. I dunno if Ireland has produced athletes of that calibre in any sport ever before
@munsterman: agree, these guys are world beaters. But would have to throw Roche and Kelly into that where they were top of a very tough sport for so long.
@Kevin Dillon: yea good call that
@munsterman: bet ya ridge ray wont be happy
@Square: You sure are more than a few degrees off Square!!
@Ray Ridge: thanks Ridge ray
@Square: Its always a pleasure!
Love his confidence not like conor mcnugget do very nice guy we all are proud
Well done Daniel, brilliant time, we are so proud of you!! Good luck tomorrow evening in the final!!!
They pointed it out on commentary but he literally didn’t use his legs at all to set that time in heats. ( I don’t use mine swimming as I’ve God awful technique and a decent 8yr old would beat me) But try swimming a couple of lengths using only arms and it shows the unbelievable cardio and power this guy has. Cruised the last 200meters. Think we need to start a petition to add 1000m 1200m and 1800m to the games and this guy would have a fair shot at the lot
Ray ridges says he’s northern Irish lol
@Gary Galligan: he is lol
@Gary Galligan: Well, Armagh is in Northern Ireland, so I guess Ray Ridge would be right again!!
@Ray Ridge: again?
Is he alongside Michael phelps.. genuine question??
@Gary Galligan: wouldent think so but he is a superstar
@Gary Galligan: Nope, Phelps has 23 Olympic Gold medals, 26 World Championships.. plus other silvers, bronzes.
But exceptional for Wiffen to win an Olympic Gold.