
Rugby
Share
Published 09:32 16 Feb 2017 GMT
Explore more on these topics:
"He spoke briefly to the contracts team, and he's been tapped on the shoulder by Pat Lam which is disappointing too. If you're an ex-New Zealander you should be a bit mindful about players' careers. "But when they decide to go you've got to support them. Steven has made that decision so we'll do that."Lam has taken exception to being labelled an 'ex-New Zealander'.
Lam represented Samoa at three World Cups but he was born and bred in New Zealand and is extremely proud of his roots. In a statement by Lam, seen by Stuff, he takes aim at Hansen's comments:
"I am very saddened and disappointed that All Black head coach Steve Hansen has made a personal attack on myself and my family by calling me an ‘ex-New Zealander'," Lam said in a statement. "Since professionalism began in 1996 many New Zealand rugby players have signed for overseas clubs coached by New Zealanders. Currently there are over 50 All Blacks playing for foreign teams and only four weeks ago 47-test capped current All Black Aaron Cruden was recruited by New Zealander Vern Cotter for Montpellier in France "I was born in New Zealand to hard-working Samoan parents. I was educated in New Zealand and worked as a schoolteacher and a professional rugby coach in New Zealand. I had the privilege and honour to represent both my country of birth and my country of heritage. I am a proud New Zealander and I’m also proud to be a Pacific Islander. "The only reason we don't live in New Zealand at the moment is I had an opportunity to continue to coach rugby professionally in Ireland and support my family after being sacked by the NZRU and the Blues.” “Did Steve Hansen consider himself an ex-New Zealander when he chose to leave New Zealand and coach the Wales national team against the All Blacks? “Myself and I’m sure many other New Zealanders who are living and working overseas do not consider ourselves ‘ex-New Zealanders’ just because we are not living in New Zealand. When I have joined the thousands of other northern-based Kiwis who attended and cheered on the All Blacks in their test matches in the northern hemisphere we certainly didn't do so as ‘ex-New Zealanders’. "I believe many New Zealanders would also be offended to be labelled an ‘ex-New Zealander’ by the All Black coach ... he has great influence because of his position of privilege and responsibility in representing New Zealand worldwide. "Who determines and judges who is a New Zealander and who isn’t? I don't believe that has ever been the role of the All Black head coach."The statement has seen Hansen respond by clarifying his original comments. Hansen claims he meant 'ex-New Zealand' in terms of his coaching career and not in terms of his nationality.
Fans tear into Leo Cullen after the Leinster boss slams media actions
A war of words! Following Leinster’s defeat of Toulon yesterday, head coach Leo Cullen took advantage of the situation to rub it into what he perceives as an unfair media. Despite continued appearances in Champions Cup finals and a semi-final loss to Northampton last year, as well as URC titles, Leinster do face their fair […]
Rugby
2 days ago
Brilliant footage shows Toulon doing training drills on Dublin street ahead of Leinster loss
This is great! Ahead of their Champions Cup semi-final against Leinster this afternoon at the Aviva Stadium, Toulon were seen training in a rather unusual spot. Instead of a field or the gym, they were filmed on a Dublin street doing maul drills, while others causally tossed the ball around. It is unclear exactly where […]
Rugby
3 days ago
Rugby
Live sport on TV in Ireland this weekend – Football, GAA, Rugby – April 24th to 26th
Rugby