Welcome to World Footy News Wednesday, December 25 2024 @ 06:01 pm ACDT

Former Aussie Rules player at centre of 'Bloodgate' scandal

  • Tuesday, September 01 2009 @ 12:40 pm ACST
  • Contributed by:
  • Views: 2,911
General News

A scandal has erupted in European Rugby Union over a faked injury, leading to a club in turmoil, a coach sacked and a player suspended for four months. And the cause of it all? The desire to substitute onto the field a superb kicker who just happens to be a former Aussie Rules player from New Zealand.

Former Takapuna Football Club player, Auckland representative and New Zealand Junior Falcon Nick Evans has become embroiled in a scandal in European Rugby's Heineken Cup.

Nick, who certainly improved his marking and kicking during his teenage years in NZ footy, was once courted by the Sydney Swans and had to make the difficult choice between the AFL and the All-Blacks. He has since had a long and distinguished career at all levels of NZ rugby, and is now at the prestigious London rugby club, the Harlequins.

However, an injury replacement in which one of the Harlequins players faked a blood injury by biting on a blood capsule, to allow Evans to take the field for an important kick at goal has cost former England and British Lions stalwart Dean Richards his job as Head Coach.

For further details see:

Player profile

'Bloodgate' leaves UK rugby in tatters