All Blacks' Hore apologises for Wales hit

WELLINGTON (AFP) –

New Zealand players congratulate teammate Andrew Hore (C) after he scored his teams fourth try during the International Rugby Union match between Scotland and New Zealand at Murrayfield in Edinburgh on November 11. Hore is set to miss Saturday’s international against England at Twickenham after receiving a five-week ban Wednesday for striking Wales lock Bradley Davies.

New Zealand hooker Andrew Hore apologised Thursday for a hit from behind on Wales lock Bradley Davies that resulted in a five-match ban, saying he had let down his team and the entire country.

Hore, who will miss Saturday’s Test against England due to the ban, said he was “embarrassed” at his action early in the 33-10 win over Wales last Saturday, which resulted in Davies being taken to hospital.

“It is not the All Black way and I have let myself down and the team and probably the whole country that is pretty proud of what we do,” he told the New Zealand Herald.

Hore said he had personally apologised to Davies in a phone call and he hoped the Welshman, who will miss this weekend’s Test against Australia after suffering concussion from the punch, made a swift recovery.

The 74-Test veteran said senior All Blacks had taken a dim view of his action, which leaves New Zealand lacking an experienced hooker against England with Keven Mealamu likely to miss the Test with a calf injury.

“The All Black management and the leader group that I’m a part of has been pretty stern on me for getting us into this situation and I have to take what I have got and go back and start building a reputation as a good, clean, hard footy player,” he said.

“Hopefully I can do that in the next Super Rugby competition when I get back playing.”