Madam, - In the immediate aftermath of the tackle that injured Brian O'Driscoll last Saturday, I was very angry. My anger turned to dismay when I learned that the New Zealand rugby officials and media were defending the perpetrators.
I remember that these people were not slow in condemning what happened to their own John Gallagher, the star player of the only New Zealand team to win the World Cup back in 1987. He joined Leeds Rugby League Club and was seriously injured in a "spear tackle". He made a slow recovery, but was never the same player again. However, the Rugby League officials took stern and immediate action and decreed that even an attempt at lifting the second leg was a sending-off offence, followed by a hefty ban.
Now it appears that the powers that be in the southern hemisphere of the Rugby Union world see nothing at all wrong with what was done to O'Driscoll. In my opinion, the IRB will have to intervene quickly and take action, or else the "spear tackle" will be seen to be legitimate.
And if that were to be so, who could blame mothers for not wishing to expose their sons to such danger? - Yours, etc,
Dr MARTIN HEALY, Togher Road, Cork.
Madam, - Allan McEvoy of Auckland (June 29th) cannot "apologise to Brian O'Driscoll and all of Ireland on behalf of all New Zealanders, our All Black rugby team and All Black captain Umaga" when the last two do not admit any wrongdoing.
I also respectfully suggest that it is Derek Billings who has little or no rugby experience because the treatment O'Driscoll received is prohibited in the laws of the game.
Finally, the fact that the All Blacks' action has gone unpunished now sends out a message to younger players that this type of play is allowed. This is the most frightening aspect of the affair. - Yours, etc,
EAMON MAC OIREACHTAIGH, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14.