Rugby: Blackadder denies Crusaders eye gouging allegations

Todd Blackadder. Photo / Hagen Hopkins.

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder has backed his players against two eye-gouging allegations by Bulls players in his side's 32-30 defeat in Pretoria this morning.

Bulls forwards Chiliboy Ralepelle and Flip van der Merwe told referee Jaco Peyper they had been gouged during the match at Loftus Versfeld.

Peyper put the incidents on report and they will be investigated by Sanzar judicial officers. Calls to Sanzar officials in Sydney were not returned this afternoon.

Blackadder told media after the match: "Personally, I'm bemused. If the allegations made are shown to be false then I expect an apology because they're pretty serious allegations. Otherwise anyone can make allegations and we'll have white cards all over the place. I'm not sure the system is designed for that.

"There's a process in place, but I would be very disappointed if the allegations are shown to be true. I know my players well, they're guys of character and there's no way they would do that. I'll be interested in the outcome."

Bulls coach Frans Ludeke said he would be upset if the allegations were proven.

"There's no place for foul play and silly incidents like that," he told reporters. "There will be a review and there may be nothing, but it's not part of the game. No one wants to see that sort of thing.

"It's tough to say what happened, but we'll leave it for the judicial officers, they specialise in that."

Television replays of the alleged Ralepelle incident were inconclusive.

Bans for eye gouging start at 12 weeks according to Sanzar regulations.

The Crusaders now have a three-win, three-loss record this season. Next week they play the Stormers in Christchurch.