RFU reject racism claims

The Rugby Football Union on Friday night emphatically rejected claims made by All Blacks centre Aaron Mauger that New Zealand players suffered racist abuse from spectators during last season's Twickenham clash against England.

Mauger's allegations, which appeared prominently in the New Zealand media on Friday, come less than 48 hours before the countries meet again at Twickenham.

The Canterbury centre, who is part-Samoan and will line up in Sunday's 82,000 sell-out Test, told New Zealand journalists: "In terms of the crowd, I think there were a few racial remarks made to a few of our boys last year. And a few of the guys took exception to it, which is fair enough because there is no place for that in sport."

He added: "It seemed to be the Island guys who got picked on."

The RFU though, issued a swift dismissal of Mauger's reported remarks, with chief executive Francis Baron hitting back.

Baron said: "No allegations of any racist abuse were made during or after that game, and it is puzzling why they have now been made a year later. Rugby is an inclusive game for all, and the RFU abhors any form of discrimination or abuse based on colour, creed, sexual orientation or disability.

"The England fans who come to Twickenham are a credit to the ethos of rugby, and we have never had any allegations of racism levelled against them. It is disappointing that they have been unfairly accused like this. I have asked the New Zealand management to investigate Aaron Mauger's comments and to take the appropriate action."

Ed Dawes, general manager of the England Rugby Supporters' Club, added: "Our members are passionate and vocal, but we have never had any reports of racist abuse and we reject any accusations that they would engage in such activity."

Mauger's reported comments will inevitably raise the temperature for Sunday's encounter, which will see England trying to avoid a sixth successive defeat this year against the Tri-Nations champions and 2007 World Cup favourites.

Earlier this week, Mauger's All Blacks squad colleague Aaron Mauger publicly criticised the Twickenham crowd, although he is not in New Zealand's starting line-up or among the replacements on Sunday.