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The biggest battle for South Africa should be beginning in the next month or two and that is with the IRB. The citings against the Boks have to end.
Instead of wearing silly armbands, SARFU should proceed with legal actions, through the correct channels, against certain individual’s.
Maybe the Springboks need to start complaining a bit more, like the All Blacks and Lions have done by running to the IRB. I think it may be more a case of sore losers rather than justified actions.
Brad Thorn was cited last year for a devastating spear tackle on John Smit, leaving him injured for the rest of the Tri-Nations.
A one week suspension seemed ‘fair’.
This year, Scott Nowland cites Jaque Fourie in Saturday’s game for a far less dangerous tackle and he gets handed a four week suspension.
I wonder where Scott was when Kieran Read shoulder charged Bryan Habana after the whistle?
The same Scott Nowland cited Bakkies Botha in the Lions series for legal play, causing the rather silly but understandable reactions from the Springboks.
However, in the same match he missed Brian O’Driscoll head-butting Danie Rossouw.
Nigel Owens should go in front of a disciplinary committee and be forced to explain his first couple of penalties against the Boks in the opening 30 minutes.
They simply were not penalties.
I wonder if Nigel could explain any of these decisions he made during the first 30 minutes:
1. Smit penalised for supporting Matfield off the kick off.
2. No yellow card for Rokocoko taking Habana out in the air.
3. Penalised Smit for slip on wet ground. He was not even looking at the scrum when he gave this penalty.
4. Read’s shoulder charge on Habana after the whistle. No yellow card.
5. Boks penalised for being ahead of Spies’ kick. Which Boks where ahead Nigel?
It does not matter if the statistics show that South Africa no longer leads New Zealand or Australia in the foul play department. In fact, it shows that we are now well behind in this regard.
We cannot shake off our reputation. Steps need to be taken.
If the Springboks don’t address the way they are cited and treated by certain referees and the IRB, I fear it may cost them dearly in the future.
But please, avoid armbands.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.