Lions star Stuart Hogg denies ‘BITING’ South Africa rival Willie le Roux in second Test as viral clips cause storm

STUART HOGG has denied ‘BITING’ South Africa star Willie le Roux as he faced a trial by social media.

Fans piled in on Twitter as clips went viral of what they believed showed the Lions fullback chomp on Le Roux’s arm.

The footage from the Second Test has now been addressed by Hogg – and he furiously denied that he bit South African star Le Roux.

The Lions fullback released a statement this morning saying: “Following speculation that has surfaced online, I would like to categorically deny any foul play in last night’s game.

“I would never bite an opponent and I am annoyed and upset by this unsubstantiated accusation. I’ve always been proud of playing rugby in the spirit of the game. 

“Respect to the Springboks for their deserved win yesterday. The squad is hurting after last night’s defeat, but it’s all to play for next week. It’s going to be a cup final and everyone’s going to be up for it.”

Hogg’s face appeared to brush up to Le Roux’s arm before the Scotland skipper was pushed off him.

Springboks supporters were also furious at other images circulating after the bitter and bloodthirsty grudge match when it appears that second row Maro Itoje is kneeling on Damian de Allende’s neck.

The citing officer is set to have a busy day as he picks apart the brutal Second Test which South African won 27-9.

And it was hardly just the Lions who were guilty of any acts of foul play.

Boks winger Cheslin Kolbe and scrum half Faf de Klerk can also expect taps on the shoulder.

Kolbe’s nasty mid-air hit on Conor Murray only earned him a yellow card at the time.

But after the Lions scrum half landed on his head, that one has to be looked at again.

De Klerk could also be in trouble for his no-arms hit on Murray.

GATLAND SAVAGES ERASMUS

Meanwhile Warren Gatland savaged South Africa boss Rassie Erasmus following this brutal Lions mauling.

Lions chief Gatland then piled into rival Erasmus for his 63-minute online video rant at officials in the build-up.

With the series level at 1-1 ahead of next weekend’s decider, Gatland said: “We’ve got systems and processes in place and hopefully World Rugby does look at that in terms of making sure that everyone follows the protocols. That’s important.

“I won’t be going on social media this week and I will let other people take care of it.

“The last thing we need is a war of words and being accused of certain things.

“I hope it doesn’t get to a situation where we end up with things on Twitter and not through the proper channels.

“I found it quite strange that approach was taken. It is not something I will get involved in, it is important we keep the integrity in the game as much as we can.”

The players are very disappointed. Next Saturday is a cup final, that is how we have to look at it.

Warren Gatland after Second Test loss for Lions

Gatland told his side to prepare for changes and also expects disciplinary chiefs to have another look at Kolbe’s mid-air tackle on Murray, which could be upgraded from a yellow to red card.

The Kiwi coach added: “The players are very disappointed. Next Saturday is a cup final, that is how we have to look at it.

“We’ll look at the tape and whether we need to bring fresh faces in.”

Springboks skipper Siya Kolisi produced the performance of his life after slamming the referee last week for showing him no respect.

The World Cup winning captain said: “That was the hardest week we ever faced.

“The pressure was huge, like the World Cup but more because this is only once every 12 years.

“We said we were going to go all-out. It’s game-on next week. We’ll do nothing different. We’ll do what we did today – but even harder.”

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After seeing a first-half try scrubbed out, Lions centre Robbie Henshaw urged his teammates to dig in to save the series.

The Ireland ace said: “It’s very tough, it’s Test match footie. It’s a final next week and it’s all to play for.”

The Lions failed to score a single point in a toothless second half and Henshaw added: “It’s those small things that didn’t fall our way. We’ve a lot of work to do.

“We need to look each other in the eye and come back stronger. It’s all to play for. It’s finals rugby, the top level. Everyone is going to be up for it.”