Alex Mann has finally broken his silence on the eye-gouging incident in last November’s Test between Wales and the Springboks.
The Wales flanker found himself at the centre of a global storm after Bok lock Eben Etzebeth was red-carded for eye gouging in the dying minutes of the match at a rain-soaked Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, with the visitors leading 73-0.
Etzebeth was later handed a 12-week ban, ruling him out until April, and issued a public apology to South African fans on social media. Mann, meanwhile, stayed silent … until now.
“It was pretty mad,” Mann told NationCymru. “I think I was getting sent clips of it every 30 seconds, to be honest with you.
“I didn’t really think about it. It is what it is. I didn’t really think twice, I just got on with my stuff and focused on what I have been doing.”
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In the aftermath of the Test, social media was flooded with blurred images and slowed-down clips, with some fans accusing Mann of instigating the incident. Those claims were dismissed during Etzebeth’s disciplinary hearing, but they still struck a nerve.
“Obviously, it was frustrating because it wasn’t the truth,” Mann said. “I knew the truth and it was clear to see. There’s not much more I can say on that.
“Look, it’s in the past for me now. It was a bit of handbags and everyone could see what happened.
“I am just looking forward to this weekend.”
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The 24-year-old acknowledged that rugby’s physical edge can sometimes spill over, but insists there is a line.
“At the end of the day, it’s 15 men going out to hurt each other, in my eyes – in the right way obviously, not in a malicious way,” he said.
“It’s a contact sport, you understand what it is. You can take it over the edge sometimes, it’s natural. Everyone is human, but it’s just about learning from those experiences.
“It’s challenging in the right ways. It might come out wrong sometimes, but that’s all a learning curve.”
Mann returns to action this weekend in the EPCR Challenge Cup as Cardiff host Racing 92 at the Arms Park.
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