Visionary’ former world rugby boss dies.
Former Ireland prop and British and Irish Lions player, coach and manager Syd Millar has, aged 89.
Millar was a stalwart of Ballymena Rugby Club and Ulster Rugby and made his Ireland debut in 1958, winning a total of 37 caps, as well as appearing on three British and Irish Lions tours.
He served as Ireland coach from 1973-75 and led the Lions on an undefeated tour of South Africa in 1974. In addition, he managed the Lions on the 1980 tour and Ireland in the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987.
He went on to become chair of the International Rugby Board (IRB), the sport’s global governing body now known as World Rugby, from 2003 until 2007.
He was at the helm of the organisation when New Zealand was awarded the 2011 Rugby World Cup and deputy chair when New Zealand was stripped of sub-hosting rights for the 2003 tournament edition for failing to provide clean stadia for advertising purposes.
He also toured New Zealand as part of the Lions in1959.
World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont said in a statement, “I know that I speak on behalf of colleagues and the global rugby family when I say that Syd Millar was a giant of the game on the world stage.”
“As influential in the boardroom as he was brilliant as a player, coach and manager, Syd was a natural leader and visionary, someone who cared deeply about the sport, its people, values and future,” he stated.
During a significant year for the game, 1995, Millar was chosen to lead the Irish Football Union (IRFU). He was Chairman of the British and Irish Lions from 1999 to 2002.
He was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame in 2009.
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Jake White apologises to Owen Farrell on behalf of Bulls fans
Bulls boss Jake White is unhappy with the Loftus faithful after sections of the crowd persistently gave Owen Farrell the treatment.
Bulls head coach Jake White. Image courtesy of Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Jake White, director of rugby for the Bulls, expressed disappointment over England captain Owen Farrell’s negative reception at Loftus on Saturday night.
The 32-year-old began for Saracens in their Champions Cup match at Loftus Versfeld, where he was taunted nonstop.
JAKE WHITE APOLOGISES TO OWEN FARRELL
This occurs against the backdrop of Farrell announcing he would be taking a break from England duty for the 2024 Six Nations to safeguard his own mental health and that of his family.
White started off his post-match comments with an apology to Farrell as he felt the crowd reaction was not a reflection of the Bulls rugby culture.
“Let me begin by expressing my regret for all of the jeers directed at Owen Farrell; this is not our goal. I don’t know why,” he said to reporters.
“It seems like people have joined the negative media bandwagon, which is perplexing to me.
He’s an incredible player, as I mentioned last week. He has accomplished incredible things in England. I wanted everyone to be happy that they could see him perform at Loftus, so I’m really disappointed.
“You compare that to watching Michael Jordan play basketball or to watching Tiger Woods play golf.” I apologize; that isn’t truly who we are, and we will deal with it.
THRILLED WITH THE BULLS ON-FIELD EFFORT
White was ecstatic about his team’s victory over one of the Premier League’s top teams.
“Beating a team like that makes me very happy,” White continued.
“It’s funny how people say, ‘You should put them away and give them 50 points,’ but if you give opponents bonus points and they just give you a 50-point win, you don’t become a team like Saracens.
I had a conversation with the coaches. They are quite pleased with our start, which gave us momentum, but I always anticipated that it would come down to the wire because they are such a formidable championship team.