Radike Samo, if you haven’t already been given one, give yourself a major uppercut. The Reds number 8 decided to be a “mug-lair” before he touched down to give his side as 13-3 lead after 21 minutes over the Rebels in Melbourne last night.
Samo trailled Will Genia when the crack half-back made a spectacular bust 22 metres out, and was perfectly positioned to take the tackled Genia pass off the deck for an easy five-pointer.
Superb rugby from both of them.
No, Samo had to tempt fate.
He was standing erect, well over the try-line, with his right hand on top of the ball and Rebels prop Laurie Weeks bearing down on him.
Samo taunted Weeks with a smirk, did a quick shoe-shuffle when he could so easily have lost control of the ball, and eventually touched down with Weeks within reach..
Not on.
There’s nothing wrong with Digby Ioane break-dancing on his hands, or Quade Cooper double-back-flipping. That’s adding colour to the code. But they had scored their tries, so those priceless five-pointers were already in the bank.
Tries are hard enough to come by these days to run any risk whatsoever of bombing one through stupidity.
Sure, the Reds won comfortably 33-18 in the end, but that’s not the point.
There’s a growing tendency to “show-pony”, started by former Wallaby and Reds full-back Chris Latham, who decided to add some spice to his multiple try-scoring talents by diving for the dead-ball line.
And he had plenty of opportunities, dotting down for 40 tries in 79 internationals and 41 more for the Reds in 119 starts.
There were many times Latham went within a whisker of diving over the dead-ball line. Thankfully for him, it didn’t happen. But why run the risk?
It’s a form of rugby Russian roulette.
Make no mistake, the first one who does clear the dead-ball line for a no-try to lose a big game – and it will happen – will be a soprano before the night is over.
And deservedly so.
It’s no different to the growing practice of track athletes shutting down well before the tape. It’s their way of visually telling their opponents: “I can beat you in a canter.”
Let’s face it, being a soprano will be a lot less painful than losing a Rugby World Cup final or an Olympic gold medal for being a mug-lair.
Those chances only come around once every four years.
But the nightmares will haunt the offender for the rest of his life.
Muzza
Guest
Yeah, get over it. I'd rather see an article on why the Reds and Wallabies will not win any championships with Cooper at first-five.
Timnaik
Guest
What about Phil Kearns insensitive comment about Julian Huxley suffering several "brain snaps with his kicking game"? Good form Phil, you have no tact do you!? And as for Lord's prattle regarding Samo's minor theatrics before the try ... big deal. My only question Mr Lord is are you that narrow-minded??
Timnaik
Guest
Hey Dave, when you say the guy will be "a soprano before the night is over" do you mean he'll have his cajones taken out?
mother teresa
Guest
ROOSTER. quite agree with your sentiments and what link is achieving at reds . i reckon samo is simulating his sevens and warm up games drills in teasing known opponents;link would be well advised to shape samos behavior cos the downside potentially is greater than the entertainment effect.
Jimbo
Guest
This is a good one courtesy of our American cousins: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIWWrdDNBRU
International Fan
Guest
Well David, You seem to be keeping up the negativity. An article a few weeks ago hysterically screaming for Higginbotham to be hung, drawn & quartered for doing the same as every other player does, and now this rubbish. The Reds are enjoying their rugby, and we are enjoying watching them. In case you haven't noticed, S15 teams are in the entertainment business (other than the Waratahs), so lighten up and quit moaning about meaningless fun. I'd expect better from a rugby scribe of your years & experience.
bjornthor
Guest
lloyd, I agree with you. Samo slowed his run in the ingoal and when he turned around he was surprised to see Weeks coming at him. This caused him to turn 180 as he thought he might have to fend Weeks off. When he realised Weeks was further away than he thought he kept running (backwards) to get the ball closer to being put down under the posts. I think the grin was a sheepish one, as if he knew he had nearly blown the try. Nothing to do with arrogance or showboating. David, you judge Samo pretty harshly, have another closer look at the replay and see if you don't change your mind. I know you'd hate it if you'd judged him unfairly.... IMO Samo seems to be a pretty quiet and humble guy, not one to be arrogantly unsportsmanlike.
Next Year!
Guest
Oh for ***** sake lighten up ! The game needs characters . Characters sell newspapers and newspapers sell the game. Radike Samo is a character full stop.
Red Rooster
Guest
Its no wonder the Reds are flat - they have played 8 straight games in Travelled to SA, NZ and Melb and played a number of the top teams, the most recent couple have been off short weeks. You don't get a 9 game block in previous tournaments and I don't think many teams have the same in this years comp - being a little flat might be a result so its no wonder Link tries to rotate. He gets criticised for trying to rotate and keep them fresh so it a no win really
Red Rooster
Guest
Yep the Reds have learned from the Force, Tahs and Hurricanes who advertise the tactic of killing the Reds ruck ball - go with the flow if the ref isn't doing anything about it then good luck to them
Charles Plowdog
Guest
Higginbotham is just the player the Wallabies need at 8 or 6. Good luck to him.
Tragic
Guest
That is the funniest thing i have ever seen on a rugby field
Samvandamn
Guest
Oh my goodness. What a waste of an article. If he botches the try he would be a laughing stock and if anything it would add to the spectacle that is the reds. It also fires up the opposition and the ball is now in their court to respond. Mind games are a part of rugby just like they are in so many other sports. Dont be a boring stick in the mud and save your writing for scrum resets and poor reffing.
Wawnout
Guest
Jiggles, you're giving me (and Richie) a headache
Harry
Guest
Didn't much like it but thats his style ... and yes, won't he look a mug if it goes wrong. Reds were pretty flat last night and had a worrying tendency to hand possession over too easily. Still 5 points in the kitty, thats 10 (relatively easy) points courtesy of the Rebels. Still think they are off their game, this Friday in Brissy will be a beauty and I am hopeful the boys will lift. Is Morahan seriously injured? We ae running out of outside back I fear.
The Bush
Roar Guru
"I’m sure it wouldn’t have gone unnoticed by Link and a quiet word will hopefully bring him back to earth." Link doesn't strike me as the kind of guy who lets these things slip under the radar. The problem he faces is that (ignoring this new aspect to his game) Higgers is playing very well. It's impossible not to pick the guy right now. Also, at 6'3 and over a 100kg he is the perfect Blindside or No8, carries the ball forward, is a proper lineout option and does a lot of work at the breakdown. Personally, what amazes me, and must be the reason Link is attracted to him playing No8, is the man's speed and athelticism. See if you can find a clip of his try last night, speed, strength, handling skills, everything. He is a true athlete and could bring a lot to the Wallabies if he is developed correctly by the coaches. It will be one of the selection travesties of the year when Rocky gets picked at Blindside for the Wallabies... I believe every forward pack needs an abbrasive, physical "enforcer", and had once hoped Horwill would fill this role (not that he isn't a fine, physical player). However, as pointed out before, it's a thin line between rough and physical, and cheap. "I hope they’re not heading for a wake up call next weekend. That’s not to say losing to the Blues would be a wake up call, but putting in a less than creditable performance would be. They really need to show they can mix it with the Kiwi sides if they want to remain a real contender." As a season ticket holder, I also hope I'm not turning up to a loss. Like you, I can probably deal with a loss assuming we play hard and it's a cracker of a match (befitting the two (2) top ranked sides). However back-to-back losses against Kiwi sides (and the only two (2) they've faced all season), will ensure that everyone writes them off for the Title (which may or may not be fair).
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Actually Wawnout Richie's cheating revolves around entering rucks from the side, playing the ball in a ruck and being off his feet etc. this is more a technique that the front rows do well, clean out or come through the ruck and then become pests in the defensive line. works very well for setting up the pick and drive.
Cattledog
Guest
Thanks Bush, my bad. Was trying to remember the jerseys and I thought it was the Canes alternate. You're right, it was ranger from the Blues :) Pretty funny actually! As I said, I didn't see last night's game unfortunately. I hope Higginbotham isn't getting in the news for the wrong reasons, he's a fine player with much to offer our RWC aspirations this year. I'm sure it wouldn't have gone unnoticed by Link and a quiet word will hopefully bring him back to earth. I hope they're not heading for a wake up call next weekend. That's not to say losing to the Blues would be a wake up call, but putting in a less than creditable performance would be. They really need to show they can mix it with the Kiwi sides if they want to remain a real contender.
RedsNut
Guest
Don't some of you have a sense of humour, especially the writer.
Wawnout
Guest
While we're focusing on things 'very effective All Black technique'. Not an All Black in sight yet suddenly Richie's a cheat. Again