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Let-off for Lewsey after he knocks out Cipriani
Evening Standard 8 Oct 2008
London Wasps today decided not to take any action against Josh Lewsey for knocking out team-mate Danny Cipriani in a training ground bust-up.
The players clashed when a one-on-one defensive drill got out of hand yesterday. It led to a heated exchange of words, followed by pushing and shoving and a knock-out punch which left Cipriani with cuts to his face and in need of smelling salts to come round.
Lewsey, a former Army officer, criticised Cipriani for missing a couple of tackles and the
20-year-old England No10 responded by telling him to “Shut up or be shut up”.
Both players have been spoken to and are expected to face Castres in the Heineken Cup on Sunday with head coach Shaun Edwards defending the decision not to punish Lewsey.
“We don't condone scuffles in training but these things happen,” said Edwards. “It's not right but you have to get on with things.
“There was a disagreement and some pushing and shoving and to be honest, it's the sort of thing that normally goes on amongst the forwards.
“This is Heineken Cup week and tensions are a bit higher but the important thing is we do not over-react with emotions running so high. What happened in training is all in the past and we have moved on. There will not be any fines or bans because that's not needed.”
The bust-up occurred on the same day the rising star of world rugby signed a multi-million pound boot deal with adidas. Cipriani is also enjoying an increased media profile — he is going out with actress Kelly Brook — but Edwards rejected claims of envy among the squad.
“There is no jealousy in terms of what other players feel about the success Danny is enjoying and he receives exactly the same treatment as anyone else,” he said. “He will be told off by the coaches if his training isn't up to scratch and that hasn't happened. He is a dedicated and very professional young man.”
Wasps officials insist this is the first occasion in which training ground rivalry has resulted in a player being knocked out but they admit the intensity of the work does lead to occasional outbursts of anger.
A Wasps insider said: “Josh can be a bit prickly about things but you could say the same about Danny. That's probably why they clashed. It was certainly one hell of a punch, because Danny was out cold.”
Cipriani and Lewsey will not be giving any interviews this week as the club attempt to focus on the cup match.
Reader views (5)
And this is the wonderful sport that soccer stars as supposed to look up to? Its seems the rugger boys can't even wait until the game starts before starting a punch up. Well, at least it wasn't the usual thirty man brawl.
- James Hennessy, london england, 08/10/2008 14:25
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Roid rage? I wouldn't have thought so. He's always been a firey character and I can't imagine that he would have been enjoyed being told that by a up and coming star who's dangerously close to living the life of a footballer. Nothing against Cipriani, he's a great player, but sounds like he might need to learn some respect.
- Toby, London, 08/10/2008 14:24
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This type of thing happens all the time. It's only because Danny is a media target that it's worth printing.
Even in his Rosslyn Park U12/U13 days he could get under his mates' skin, but this is natural and desirable if you want to get the best out of intensive, competitive squad sessions. I'm sure Kelly will kiss it better.
- Fresh, London, 08/10/2008 13:50
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A valuable lesson here, don't ever give a squaddie, or an ex-squaddie an ultimatum.
- D Leiberman, Hinchley Wood, 08/10/2008 13:16
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roid rage. simple. would love to see half the professional game tested at independent labs.
- Patrick, Singapore, 08/10/2008 12:04
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