Hogg denies ‘biting’ Springbok in Lions defeat

<div class="article-meta"><span class="timestamp" data-behavior="date_time" data-date="2021-08-01T10:51:42Z"><span class="time" data-dateformat="time1" data-showtimezone="true">11:51 AM BST</span></span></div> <p>British & Irish Lions fullback Stuart Hogg has denied he bit rival Willie le Roux on the arm during Saturday’s <a href="https://www.espn.co.uk/rugby/story/_/id/31928591/south-africa-beat-british-irish-lions-level-series-ill-tempered-contest" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> 27-9 defeat to South Africa</a> after accusations surfaced on social media following the match.</p> <p>A scuffle involving most of the players on the pitch took place in an ill-tempered first half, leading to a confrontation between Hogg and Le Roux. The Scotsman can be seen with his face buried in Le Roux’s arm, but he has denied any wrongdoing.</p> <aside class="inline editorial float-r" data-behavior="article_related"> <ul> <li><a name="&lpos=story:editorspicks:inline:1" href="https://www.espn.co.uk/rugby/story/_/id/31918030/rugby-australia-condemn-rassie-erasmus-criticism-referee-nic-berry" class="img-link"><img loading="lazy" src="https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/photo/2021/0717/r881391_1296x1296_1-1.jpg&w=130&h=130&scale=crop&location=center" width="65" height="65"></a></li> <li><a name="&lpos=story:editorspicks:inline:2" href="https://www.espn.co.uk/rugby/story/_/id/31921684/south-africa-assistant-stick-accuses-lions-gatland-destroying-dignity-series-tmo-row" class="img-link"><img loading="lazy" src="https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/photo/2021/0730/r888271_1296x1296_1-1.jpg&w=130&h=130&scale=crop&location=center" width="65" height="65"></a></li> </ul> <p>1 Related</p> </aside> <p>“Following speculation that has surfaced online, I would like to categorically deny any foul play in last night’s game,” Hogg said in a statement on Sunday.</p> <p>“I would never bite an opponent and I am annoyed and upset by this unsubstantiated accusation. I’ve always been proud of playing rugby in the spirit of the game.</p> <p>“Respect to the Springboks for their deserved win yesterday. The squad is hurting after last night’s defeat, but it’s all to play for next week. It’s going to be a cup final and everyone’s going to be up for it.”</p> <p>Le Roux and the South Africa side have not commented on the accusations.</p> <p>There were a number of flashpoints and incidents of foul play during the match, with both teams reduced to 14 players after yellow cards for the Lions’ South African-born wing Duhan van der Merwe and Bok flyer Cheslin Kolbe.</p> <p>Kolbe was fortunate not to get a red card when he connected with airborne Lions scrumhalf Conor Murray, an incident that could yet get the attention of the citing commissioner.</p> <p>The series is locked at 1-1 heading into the third and final match at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://patabook.com/sports/2021/08/01/hogg-denies-biting-springbok-in-lions-defeat/">Hogg denies ‘biting’ Springbok in Lions defeat</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://patabook.com/sports">Patabook Sports</a>.</p>

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