PM called a 'funny old lady' for rugby comments

Lote Tuqiri

Prime Minister Helen Clark has been branded a "funny old lady" over her comments about last Saturday's All Black rugby test against Australia in Auckland.

Former Australian Rugby Union president Phil Harry yesterday described as "a joke" claims by Helen Clark that the Wallabies were guilty of blatant assault on All Blacks captain Richie McCaw at Eden Park.

Wallaby winger Lote Tuqiri was suspended for a spear tackle on McCaw while flanker Phil Waugh escaped any action over a high shot from behind.

"One hesitates as just someone in the stand to voice an opinion, but certainly I felt someone should have been sent off," the Prime Minister said this week.

"I thought it was absolutely appalling. We witnessed several acts of assault against the All Blacks captain and it was very, very ugly to see."

But Harry, interviewed at a fund raiser for the Royal Far West Children's Scheme, laughed off the accusations, the Sydney Daily Telegraph reports today.

"I thought it was a joke," he said. "I think it's ridiculous to have that funny old lady getting involved in a thing like rugby."

Guest speaker millionaire businessman John Singleton also took aim at the New Zealanders.

"Afterwards Richie McCaw was complaining, the coach was complaining, Helen Clark was complaining," Singleton said.

"Three sheilas complaining."

- NZPA