Hazell hits back at Moffett

Moffett, who spent three years as WRU chief executive until heading back Down Under in 2005, claimed that the Dragons need changes at board level if they move out of the doldrums.

He went on to call the Dragons a "basket case" and also said they were constantly crying poor despite getting the same handouts as the other three regions.

But Hazell defended the role of those at the Rodney Parade helm and questioned the motives for Moffett's outburst.

"Building a new £30million stadium is a perfect example of the ambition that we have for the region," he said. "Our finances are in order, we are not in debt and we don't keep claiming we are run on a shoestring.

"We run our finances correctly and we are ploughing a great deal of our own money into the new stadium and backing the side.

"Perhaps he has won the lottery or found a gold mine, maybe he wants to put his money where his mouth is and join the board!

"We are more than happy to welcome more people on board but they must have financial clout and not just want to make statements.

"People have got to realise that there always has to be winners and losers and all four regions can't be winning all the time.

"But there are real aims to develop as a region -there are ambitions to buy players and there is the money there for the coaching staff to go out and get them. We are mid-table in the Magners League and there is a real desire to keep building."

Last week Moffett, the architect of regional rugby, stated that he would welcome a return to the Welsh fold but Hazell queried why he has been making his latest raft of comments.

"He is obviously allowed to say what he wants but I think there is an element of sour grapes," he said.

"He's a chief executive who got paid a substantial figure before leaving so I wonder what the motives are for him making these stupid statements."