Redpath has his say on Azam incident
HEAD coach Bryan Redpath will wait to see if an official citing is made before he comments in detail on the incident involving hooker Olivier Azam's alleged kick on Saracens' Steve Borthwick.
The Gloucester chief had not seen the incident after the game on Sunday, but after reviewing the video said there was provocation from the England captain.
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Saracens' Steve Borthwick gets treatment for the eye injury suffered against Gloucester
"I've seen it and Borthwick does twist his left ankle," Redpath said.
"Z (Azam) does lash out. He promised me he doesn't know who or where he was kicking but he kicked out to kick something. That's how I see it.
"I need to find out what he's being accused of before I can comment any further. I wouldn't support any foul play at all. There is a twist of the left ankle and Olly reacts."
Borthwick has to go to hospital as a result of the incident and is expected to be out for up to four weeks.
Saracens first team coach Mark McCall suggested there was a deliberate act of foul play on Sunday after he had seen the video footage.
There has been no official action yet from the RFU's independent citing officer. But there is still time – in the case of Gareth Delve the citing was officially announced the Friday after the game against London Irish.
2 Comments
by EJ, Brockworth
Wednesday, September 30 2009, 9:51PM
“Egg - Us 'egg chasers' as you ever so eloquently put it are not in favour of seeing players kick each other in the head.
An 18 stone prop jumping on your head is not something I would wish on anyone.
The difference between rugby and fairyball is that there is the citing commisioner who picks up on discrepancies missed by the referee.
So if justice is complete, Azam should be banned by the disciplinary board.
You stick to your fairyball and leave us supporters of a proper game in peace.”
by Egg, Fareast of Dean
Wednesday, September 30 2009, 1:38PM
“No doubt all the egg chasers will see this as 'Spirit of the Game.' If it was football it would be seen as thuggery and be lambasted the world over.”