Former All Black Chris Laidlaw has sparked controversy in New Zealand today by suggesting national team coach John Mitchell picked his Tri-Nations squad along racial lines.
Laidlaw believes Mitchell opted for a squad dominated by "Pakeha" - a controversial term used to describe non-Maori New Zealanders - players for tactical reasons.
"The fact that Mitchell and (Robbie) Deans have opted overwhelmingly for a Pakeha squad might be an accident and it might not. I think not," he wrote in a column printed in every major daily newspaper in the country.
Mitchell came under fire for not picking Jonah Lomu and Tana Umaga, both of Maori origin, for the Tri-Nations opener against Australia - which the All Blacks won 12-6.
The duo have been recalled for tomorrow's clash with South Africa in Wellington but are not in the starting line-up.
Mitchell told New Zealand television he found Laidlaw's comments "offensive", pointing out that 11 of the 26 players in the current squad were of non-European descent.
PA