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Div charged with 'alleged misconduct'
Barely hours after getting the backing from his employers, Springbok coach Peter de Villiers has to face a new challenge, as Sanzar issued “a notice of alleged misconduct” and decided to investigate comments he made during a rugby show on Australian television.
De Villiers made the off-the-cuff comments on FOX Sport’s Rugby Club programme on July 21, where his answer led Australian and New Zealand media to believe he was suggesting a conspiracy by referees was the reason for the Boks’ mediocre performance.
While De Villiers later moved to clarify his comments, Sanzar have decided that they feel it is worthy of an investigation and the coach will have to answer to a judiciary officer next week for allegedly breaching the code of conduct of the organisation.
De Villiers was widely quoted as saying: “I've got my own observations about the last two (Tri Nations) tests and maybe I can't say it in public, but we do have a World Cup in New Zealand next year and maybe it was the right thing for them to win the games so that they can attract more people to the games next year.”
A few days later, De Villiers clarified his statements, and in a press statement said that his view was misinterpreted by Australian and New Zealand media.
“In no manner did I ever suggest that the All Blacks were being favoured -- by match officials or anyone else -- because their country was hosting the Rugby World Cup next year,” De Villiers said.
“I have stated many times during the past weeks that the All Blacks were better than us in their victories in Auckland and Wellington. While I have also expressed unhappiness over some refereeing issues, this is a separate matter altogether and has no bearing on what I said.
“My comment during the Rugby Club interview was based on the general view that part of the success of any World Cup event rests on the fact that the host nation has a winning team.
“This view has been misinterpreted and I wish to make it clear that I had no other intention than to make that specific point. Nevertheless, I regret that this may have created the wrong impression and raised undue concern for Sanzar and the RWC 2011 organisers.
However Sanzar have now decided that they want to investigate the quotes even though they have received a reply from the South African Rugby Union.
Sanzar Chief Executive Steve Tew said: “Having considered the response from South Africa we have determined that Peter de Villiers’s comments may constitute a breach of the Sanzar Code of Conduct and warrant further consideration by a Sanzar Judicial Officer.”
Saru said in a statement they had noted the investigation.
“The South African Rugby Union notes the allegation of misconduct brought by Sanzar against Springbok coach Peter de Villiers today (Thursday), relating to comments made during an interview with television broadcaster Fox. Saru will make no further comment until the judicial process has run its course.”
The move comes hours after De Villiers received the backing of Saru after a meeting with top leaders in the organisation to find reasons for the poor performances in the three Tri-Nations tests overseas.
According to Saru, the meeting was designed to assist leadership in understanding where they could assist the Springbok coach and management in achieving improved results on the home leg of the Vodacom Tri-Nations campaign. The meeting also discussed forward planning for the Rugby World Cup in 2011.
“We had a very productive meeting and there are areas where Peter will present us with his plans for the future and we will offer our support in realising them,” Saru vice-president James Stoffberg said after the meeting.
“He has our full support and we are confident that we can quickly be put back on track.”
The meeting was also attended by Saru president Oregan Hoskins, Mark Alexander (deputy president), Saru CEO Johan Prinsloo and Andy Marinos, manager of national teams.
