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Kangaroos coach faces inquiry over attack on officials
Australia coach Ricky Stuart is to be formally investigated following an allegation that he abused referee Ashley Klein and leading British official Stuart Cummings the morning after the Kangaroos' shock World Cup final defeat.
Cummings, the Rugby Football League's match officials executive, claimed that he and Klein were verbally attacked by Stuart during a chance meeting in the foyer of the team's Brisbane hotel on Sunday morning.
Stuart was fuming over decisions made by Australian-born Klein and fellow RFL official Steve Ganson, who was the video referee, during Australia's 34-20 defeat by New Zealand at Suncorp Stadium.
Stuart could also be asked to explain a verbal assault on Australian Rugby League chief executive Geoff Carr immediately after the game, although Carr claimed the coach was simply "letting off steam".
Stuart refused to criticise the match officials at the post-match press conference and offered a "no comment" when questioned by reporters while taking part in a charity golf event in Canberra yesterday.
The Kangaroos, who were red-hot favourites to retain the World Cup, were upset over Ganson's decision to award a try to Jerome Ropati after an apparent "ball-stripping" and were further incensed by his awarding of a penalty try to Lance Hohaia.
Rugby League International Federation chairman and World Cup tournament director Colin Love said the matter would be investigated and that a response has been sought from Stuart.
"Given that the English officials have returned home and that Mr Stuart and senior Australian officials are in the process of departing for annual leave, the tournament organisers may take a number of weeks to complete the necessary formal process of the inquiry," said a spokesman.
Ganson received backing for his performance from tournament referees official Michael Stone.
"With the penalty try, two things must be considered," said Stone.
"Firstly, whether there was a breach – and certainly there was – and then whether the try would have been scored. In Steve's opinion, it would have been.
"As for the other one, in Steve's opinion the ball was stripped so there's no arguing about that decision either."
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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