By CHRIS BARCLAY in Sydney
International Rugby Board chairman Syd Millar concedes the World Cup medal presentation ceremony needs a revamp after he was accused of almost throwing losers' medals to the Wallabies on Saturday night.
The Australian media yesterday described Millar's role in the medal presentation as "one big black spot"
on the evening and said that several Wallabies were upset he was "almost flinging their medals at them".
"A few minutes later, the same man suddenly became very animated and treated the England players as if they were long-lost sons," the Sydney Morning Herald said.
Millar, an Irishman and former Irish and Lions prop, denied any favouritism and insisted he was rushing because of pressure from broadcasters. He said that because the final, won by England 20-17, went into 20 minutes of extra time, the presentation ceremony was on a tight schedule. Both squads had 30 players plus about 10 coaching and support staff who received medals.
Asked whether it was appropriate that the England team's press officer receive the same medal as matchwinner Jonny Wilkinson, Millar said the number of medals might have to be reassessed.
He denied the presentation was a flat ending to a magnificent spectacle but conceded, "The ceremony should have been better and it will be addressed next time".
While Millar was forced to justify his actions, the Prime Minister's office in Canberra also had to placate Australians, who claimed John Howard looked a poor sport when presenting the English medals and the Webb Ellis Cup to captain Martin Johnson.
Correspondents writing to the Age newspaper in Melbourne were critical of Howard for a failure to speak to the victorious players and accused him of being "graceless", "sour" and making the presentations with a "lemon-sucking grimace".
- NZPA
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