Fury over mouthguard incident

OUTRAGE IS mounting after it was revealed hulking Samoan winger Alesana Tuilagi was fined $10,000 by the International Rugby Board because he wore a “branded” mouthguard.

The product was not approved by the game’s governing body ahead of the side’s Pool D match against Fiji at Eden Park last Sunday.

Online reaction to the IRB’s treatment of the cash-strapped Samoan team wavered between outrage and injustice.

“So England swap the ball for conversions and the IRB does nothing. Samoa wear the wrong brand of mouthguard and get fined 10k. Incredible," wrote John Campbell, host of popular TV3 show Campbell Live, on Twitter.

Tuilagi’s teammate Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu also posted his displeasure online.

“You [would] think the fact players are wearing mouth guards protecting themselves would outweigh exclusive deals to make more money!” he tweeted.