The International Rugby Board is once again under fire, this time for a directive on Bible passages written on players’ wrist strapping.

Words written on the tape must be approved by the IRB in advance according to the rules issued to the eight remaining teams in the Rugby World Cup.

The IRB confirmed the directive, which specifically refers to biblical passages, however would take a “common sense approach”.

IRB officials said that they find a lot of Fijians, Tongans and Samoans like to write Bible passages on their wrists and they just want to make sure there are no offensive or political statements.

The directive comes as the manufacturer of the mouth guard in the centre of the Rugby World Cup controversy over branding has hit back against claims of ambush marketing.

In the quarterfinals this weekend, Ireland will play Wales in Wellington at 5pm Saturday.

France will play England at Eden Park at 7.30pm Saturday.

Australia will play South Africa in Wellington at 5pm Sunday and the All Blacks will face Argentina at Eden Park 7.30pm Sunday.

You can catch the live commentaries of both games - the All Blacks/Argentina and South Africa/Australia on Sunday, on our sister station, Viti FM with the voice of rugby, Malakai Veisamasama and expert comments from Ilivasi Tabua.


Story by: Dreu Vukailagi