VIDEO: All Black coach's candid response to SARU's apology
REACTION: The All Blacks accepted the South African Rugby Union’s apology over Saturday’s haka interference, but they still fired a dig at their hosts.
Ahead of the Rugby Championship Round Three encounter at Ellis Park, the closing moments of the haka were overlaid by music and fireworks – as well as a flyover by an A380 airliner – as pre-planned scheduling failed to be observed.
On Monday, Rian Oberholzer, CEO of SARU, said it was never the intention to schedule activities that would coincide with the iconic moment of the Test.
The story continues below…
“I apologised in person and have written to the NZRFU to formally express our regret and apologies for what occurred,” Oberholzer said.
All Black forwards coach Jason Ryan was asked for his opinion on the whole haka controversy during a media engagement at their team hotel ahead of the Round Four clash between the Boks and All Blacks in Cape Town this weekend.
“We have accepted the apology. In all honesty, you sometimes get a bit of chaos around that,” said Ryan.
“The South African players stood there and respected it as they always do.
“The [SARU] officials are probably the ones that need the uppercut, but they made the apology, so that is fine,” he added before producing a big smile for the media.
The story continues below…
All Black loose forward Ethan Blackadder also shared his experience.
“It’s nice of them [SARU] to apologise, but it’s pretty hard to get the timings right for an aeroplane,” he said.
“Stuff like that happens.
“Personally, I didn’t notice it.
“We were all just looking up and eyeing our opponents.
“I didn’t see it or hear it. I was just in the zone.”
@rugby365com
