Rugby:France have been fined for advancing on the New Zealand haka before Sunday's World Cup final. Les Bleus were supposed to remain behind the 10-metre line in their own half but instead advanced towards the All Blacks in a v-formation, led by captain Thierry Dusautoir.
The IRB stated today “as with other in-tournament breaches of the tournament cultural ritual protocol and as per pre-tournament communication with teams, RWCL will impose the standard sanction of £2500”.
France coach Marc Lievremont defended his side’s actions at Eden Park before a match they lost 8-7. He said: “He (Dusautoir) tried to stop them, there was a bit of movement bringing them forward. But a fine? I don’t know.”
Speaking before the fine was issued, Dusautoir said the team wanted to make a bold statement and believed it was a worthwhile exercise despite the narrow loss.
“At one stage we were so close to them that they wanted to kiss the New Zealanders, but I told them to take it easy. It was a great moment and a moment we will remember all our lives,” Dusautoir said.
