French fury as Grosso goes to hospital
FRANCE coach Jacques Brunel criticised New Zealand for an ‘illegal’ tackle that is reported to have left winger Remy Grosso with a double facial fracture following the first Test at Eden Park.
Grosso, 29, was taken to hospital during the second half of the 52-11 loss after a double tackle from Sam Cane and Ofa Tu’ungafasi, with the All Black pair escaping any sanction.
Television replays showed that Cane made contact with the winger’s head before Tu’ungafasi’s shoulder made contact with Grosso’s head as he fell.
‘The injury of Remy Grosso is quite serious,’ Brunel said. ‘I think that the way he was done by the All Blacks pair was illegal.’
France had led 11-8 at half-time before lock Paul Gabrillagues was sinbinned, triggering an All Blacks onslaught which resulted in seven unanswered tries including a double for Rieko Ioane.
Elsewhere, Ireland’s World Cup pool opponents Japan were comfortable 34-17 winners over Conor O’Shea’s Italy in Oita yesterday.
Tries from Amanaki Mafi, Kenki Fukuoka, Loamno Lemeki and Kotaro Matsushima helped see of the Italians who remain winless in 2018.