KEY POINTS:
England rugby's chief has ensured there will be an explosive start to tomorrow morning's test by rubbishing All Black claims they were racially abused at Twickenham last year.
Francis Baron has rejected allegations made by All Black second five-eighth Aaron Mauger that players in the New Zealand side of a year ago had been racially abused during the visitors' 23-19 victory.
Not only has Baron dismissed the claims but he has asked the All Black management team to "take appropriate action against Mauger".
"No allegations of any racist abuse were made during or after that game and it is puzzling why they have now been made a year later," said Baron.
"Rugby is an inclusive game for all and the RFU abhors any form of discrimination or abuse based on colour, creed, sexual orientation or disability.
"The England fans who come to Twickenham are a credit to the ethos of rugby and we have never had any allegations of racism levelled against them. It is disappointing that they have been unfairly accused like this.
"I have asked the New Zealand management to investigate Aaron Mauger's comments and to take the appropriate action."
Mauger was quoted as saying: "In terms of the crowd I think there were a few racial remarks made to a few of our boys last year, and a few of the guys took exception to it - which is fair enough because there's no place for that in sport. It seemed to be the Island guys who got picked on."
Mauger made the remarks to explain why team-mate Anton Oliver lashed out at the Twickenham faithful.
Oliver watched last year's game from the stands and was upset at some of the crowd behaviour.
"I gave some friends some tickets [to last year's test] and they were just shocked at the level of opprobrium aimed at our players," he said.
While nothing was said at the time and no formal complaint was made by the All Blacks, team manager Darren Shand issued a statement to confirm the claims were legitimate.
"Unfortunately there are always a small number of fans who lack sportsmanship," said Shand.
"That's true all around the world, including New Zealand.
"All fans should support their team, but a small minority can get carried away and direct comments at the opposition.
"This happens at almost every match we play, including last year's test at Twickenham.
"The England team was not involved in any way. We have every respect for the English and we share the RFU's zero tolerance for racism in the game.
"We encourage English fans to support their team this weekend and New Zealand fans to support the All Blacks and to do so in good spirit."
Shand stressed that the players were not too upset about the incident and would be keen for the issue to blow over.
Even if it does, the All Blacks are likely to be dogged all tour about the Kapo o Pango haka after Wales great Gerald Davies became the latest rugby figure to criticise the new challenge.
Davies was aghast that the new haka concludes with what he, and many others, believe is a "throat-slitting" gesture, but defenders of Kapa O Pango say such criticism betrays an ignorance of Maori culture, and the climax doesn't mean what its detractors think it does.
"While it may well have its place in Maori tradition, such a repugnant gesture has no place on a sports field," Davies wrote in The Times.
"The gesture of a throat being slit, whatever explanation is given, is a visual message of ill-will, an expression of malevolence," the legendary wing, a star of the 1971 Lions side that triumphed in New Zealand, added.
When the All Blacks reach Paris, Shand confirmed they will lunch with the French football team and hope to watch them play the following night.
- HERALD ON SUNDAY
