White scoffs at Henry's 'foul play' claim

SUN CITY, South Africa - Springboks coach Jake White has shot back at his opposite Graham Henry over his calls for the International Rugby Board (IRB) to clamp down on foul play.

Henry said yesterday he would contact the IRB to request it clamp down on foul play after recent unpunished incidents involving star All Blacks Richie McCaw (a swinging arm from Wallabies flanker Phil Waugh) and Daniel Carter (a high tackle from Springboks lock Victor Matfield).

White was quick to remind Henry not to throw stones from glass houses today.

"Ali Williams punched (Springboks lock) Johann Muller and Jerry Collins pulled (Wallabies flanker) George Smith's hair. I don't see anything written about that," White said.

"So, you know, it happens. If he's concerned about that then he has every right to go to the IRB to sort it out."

"We dont have a history of punching and kicking and doing all (that) stuff. It's an element of the game that coaches don't want any part of.

"I'm sure that as the coach of the number one team in the world he'll have the ear of the IRB."

- NZPA