Telfer appeals to press hounds

AS New Zealand's press enjoyed a field day at the expense of Scotland over the so-called Cronin incident, Scots team manager Jim Telfer has called for support from his own journalists.

Scotland lock forward Damian Cronin was at the centre of a piece of controlled aggression that got out of control during the Scots' training yesterday.

The France-based player became embroiled in a couple of fights, and then capped a media-attracting display by lashing out with his boot at the head of tour colleague Graham Ellis. It is understood that Cronin apologised immediately.

"When I've been abroad before I've seen players crucified. I would expect our own press to be supportive of us. We have enough enemies here," said Telfer.

"I've seen aggression in training before, admittedly in private practices. We would be remiss if we didn't practise full contact and replicate the match situations."

Dozens of local onlookers, including a large number of youngsters who had come along specially to watch Scotland train, saw the incident.

The Scots, in their final preparations before this morning's match with first division provincial side Waikato, avoided any further controversy by training in private, although Telfer insisted that this had always been part of the plans.