Jones demands international code of conduct

8.15am

Australian rugby coach Eddie Jones wants international rugby to copy cricket and introduce a code of conduct to deal with player behaviour.

His call comes in the wake of Justin Marshall's eye-gouging accusations.

The All Black halfback claims he was gouged by Wallaby lock Justin Harrison last weekend despite Harrison being cleared by the match's citing commissioner.

Marshall is in the clear after the NZRU opted not to take action against him.

But Jones is not satisfied with that and still wants Marshall to be charged with misconduct over his allegation.

Jones says that if a citing commissioner decides on something and a player comes out and says the opposite, surely there must be some need for an international code of conduct.

All Black coach Graham Henry yesterday said Jones should show some balance over the incident.

Henry said Jones would be the first to complain if a Wallaby fell victim to a similar incident.

"Eddie Jones is the first guy to complain if those things happen," he said. "Eddie just needs to have a bit of balance here."

He said the All Blacks were not accusing Harrison of deliberately eye-gouging Marshall, but an incident had occurred "and it's fair and reasonable that it is brought in the open" and discussed.

- NEWSTALK ZB, NZPA