Bloemfontein — Australia coach Michael Cheika gave a world-class lesson in spin and deflection as he defended fullback Israel Folau who tackled Springbok wing Dillyn Leyds by the hair. Cheika tried to make the incident all about Bok captain Eben Etzebeth’s reaction as he barged in to protect Leyds‚ leading to an off-the-ball scuffle late in the first half of the 27-27 draw in Bloemfontein on Saturday. The Wallaby coach‚ who is never shy to have a whinge about officials or the opposition‚ took exception when he was asked about the hair pulling. "Have you ever played rugby mate?" he shot at his inquisitor. "If you have you’ll know that no one does that in rugby. Watch the vision. Watch the vision again. He got him by the collar. Israel didn’t take him by the hair. No one in rugby does that‚ forget about it‚ it’s a nonissue." Only that repeated viewings of the "vision’ show Folau pulling Leyds by the hair. To make matters worse for the Wallabies‚ Leyds confirmed he had his hair pulled....
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