Lam insists Connacht won’t be sidetracked by “distractions” for Ulster test

NEVER a dull moment with Connacht Rugby this season.

As if still being well in contention for a top six finish with four PRO 12 games remaining wasn’t enough to arouse interest, off-field incidents continue to dominate headlines and chit-chat on the terraces.  It’s been a soap opera season finale.

First we had the explosive allegation by head coach, Pat Lam, about referee, Leighton Hodges, following defeat away to Cardiff Blues. He was fined for misconduct after criticising Hodges for an alleged inappropriate remark prior to officiating at Connacht’s match with Edinburgh at the Sportsground in January.

Then the province’s star signing, All-Black Mils Muliaina was arrested and questioned last Friday in England by South Wales police after the 14-7 defeat to Gloucester in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals.

The alleged sexual assault incident relates to the same weekend as the Lam post-match press conference blow-out – the trip to Cardiff has certainly being trying.

The sight of Muliaina getting into a police car after the final whistle at Kingsholm Stadium, in full glare of the Sky Sports’ cameras, was bizarre.

British police aren’t necessarily renowned for tactfulness but was it really necessary to haul the 34-year-old away in such a public manner? It would have been less dramatic, but would it have been more appropriate for police officers to approach him earlier, given he’d arrived in the jurisdiction on Thursday?

What we know about the incident is sketchy, but the full-back has denied any wrongdoing and has vowed to clear his name.

Aside from statements confirming the alleged incident, subsequent arrest, and bail release, Connacht’s official line on this has been to ‘say nothing and keep saying it’.

It was the elephant in the room at the weekly press conference. Lam stuck to the ‘no comment’ line, although he did clear up some matters.

On the Wednesday preceding the arrest, Connacht announced Muliaina was leaving for Zebre next season. It was the April 1 but not a joke. Nor was it related to the allegations that surfaced over the weekend, Lam insisted. “Not a link at all,” he said.

Lam confirmed Muliaina remains part of the Connacht squad. “Oh very much so, yes.” The Samoan declined to say what support Connacht was giving Muliaina. “Again I can’t comment on that . . . because the investigation is ongoing,” he said.

Connacht said they would be meeting with Muliaina in the coming days but Lam wouldn’t elaborate. “No, that’s internal,” he said.

He indicated the matter wasn’t discussed collectively when players met Monday. “Our team meeting is all about a review of the game and moving forward. And again we can’t comment on anything around it.”

He confirmed Muliaina, who retired with a recurrence of his hamstring injury before half-time in the Gloucester game, has joined Connacht’s ‘return to play’ group. Muliaina will be out for two to three weeks and Lam is looking forward to his return before the season end.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.