I’m no thug, claims eye-gouging Burger
SOUTH AFRICA flanker Schalk Burger has refused to apologise for eye-gouging Lions wing Luke Fitzgerald in last weekend’s bruising second Test.
Burger has been banned for eight weeks after being cited for the offence in the Springboks’ series-clinching 28-25 win in Pretoria.
But, ahead of tomorrow’s third and final clash in Johannesburg, Burger defended his actions, which he maintained were accidental.
“Through my life and career I have always approached the game with the intention only of playing it hard and fair,” said Burger. “I am not a rugby thug and will never intentionally engage in eye-gouging or similar illegal actions. I am therefore grateful that the judicial officer confirmed my stance with his conclusion that there was no deliberate eye-gouging as charged by the citing official.”
Lions head coach Ian McGeechan, meanwhile, has urged his much-changed team to end the tour on a high note. “The players out there will want to respond very positively – if we win it will be very sweet,” he said. “We are keen to finish off with a win.”
England Riki Flutey returns to partner Tommy Bowe in midfield while Ugo Monye takes Bowe’s place on the right wing, with Shane Williams on the left.
Prop Phil Vickery returns to the front row with Andrew Sheridan – one of three players to make their first Lions starts, along with flankers Martyn Williams and Joe Worsley.
LIONS V SOUTH AFRICA, 3RD TEST
Team: R Kearney; U Monye, T Bowe, R Flutey S Williams, S Jones, M Phillips; A Sheridan, M Rees, P Vickery, S Shaw, P O’Connell (capt), J Worsley, M Williams, J Heaslip.
Replacements: R Ford, J Hayes, A-W Jones, P Wallace, T Croft, H Ellis J Hook.