There are certain qualities that separate rugby from most other sports, and of these qualities respect stands above all.
We often hear of players talking about having a beer with their opponents in the dressing room after a game, and by and large rival spectator groups get on quite well too.
We are spared the footballing scenes of the so called ‘beautiful game’ which see referees being chased down by players, stadiums on fire, riot police, and racist abuse. To all those people who deride rugby as a ‘2nd tier’ sport, they would do well to observe the spirit in which we play our game.
Not even cricket, the gentleman’s game, can match it. I’d like to point out an example in Saturday’s game. When Romain Poite sent Bismark du Plessis to the bin for his tackle on Dan Carter and gave his reasons as being no arms and high, Bismark was shocked.
He exclaimed ‘High?’ and Jean de Villiers immediately tapped him on the tummy and Bismark trotted off without a word. Respect for the referee, Respect for the captain and amazing sportsmanship.
This is what our game is about. So to everyone who is having a right whinge or gloat I say – let it go. Take a deep breath and lets look forward to Ellis Park. All Blacks vs the Springboks is the absolute pinnacle of our sport, one of sport’s greatest rivalries, and lets honour that.
The game was well on its way to being a classic until Poite ruined it. My initial thought, and the NZ commentators queried it as well, was that Bismark was offside. The replays however showed that the ball was in general play right throughout and therefore the hit was unquestionably fair.
The second card was unfortunate but deserved as it was dangerous play, but I have no doubt that Bismark did not mean to elbow Liam Messam in the throat. His sending off removed all tension in the game for me and that ended the game as a contest.
My general impressions of the game (keeping the numerical advantage to a side) was that the All Blacks were on top in almost all facets. After having been dusted in the very first scrum, the ABs came back quite strongly (not counting the 8 v 7 ones); they were impressive at lineout time, and they dominated the breakdown.
Watching Brodie Retallick and Eben Etzebeth go toe-to-toe was simply awesome and we are blessed to be able to look forward to a decade of these two going hammer and tongs at each other.
If someone had asked me who I would like to officiate Saturday’s match, I would have, without any hesitation, said Craig Joubert.
The very best matches have to be officiated by the very best referees and Joubert has been the world’s best for quite awhile now and I would have issues with him taking over that game.
The number of 3N/RC that has been unduly influenced by NH refs is reaching ridiculous proportions and I have to question the wisdom of it. They have no feel for the way the game is played down here and I reckon the process needs to be looked at.
The 47,000 odd people at the stadium and the millions watching on TV were deprived the pleasure of an absolutely cracking match because of one man’s error and that is unacceptable.
richard
Guest
+1000
maori sidestep
Guest
Enjoyed the read. As for all you fellow bloggers you all remind me of a room full of drunks where everyones yelling but no ones listening.
Superba
Guest
Joubert had an appalling game in the RWC final with McCaw being allowed to lie all over opposition ball as if he were on a deck chair in the South of France . To my mind he reffed out of character . On that day the French were done . He reffed for an AB win . The French deserved to win that game . The ABs deserved to win the tournament . There have been several comments that the ABs would have won Saturdays game anyway even if SA had 15 players on the whole game . Huh ? Based on only 30mins when the ABs were executing better how can one make such an extrapolation ? Often teams finish stronger and come from behind so this view I find difficult to comprehend . The opening paragraphs of this article I agree with .But what really disturbs me is the thought that AB sides are being coached to , dare I say it, cheat . As did Aus by stepping their front row to depower scrums. Perhaps it is time we looked to rugby league and had two refs on the field . But what the ABs are doing and what is now starting to be being written by respected commentators is starting to leave a bad taste .
danuk
Guest
Will you be around to man up if your boys don't as well?
danuk
Guest
Good point that, believe very much a coach also influences the behaviour of players. Heyneke, for all his faults, does that very well and it seems to flow through the Bok team more and more. Heyneke seems to come from a culture that if he complains, makes excuses and rewards bad behaviour that the players will do that as well. McKenzie though, me thinks he tends to express what he thinks too much, and don't believe that helps his team.
jason8
Guest
I think the age of neutral nationality refs is now over... these guys are paid pros who's game is evaluated and picked apart if they dont perform. The best must referee the biggest games regardless of their nationality.
shrek
Guest
Gotta disagree with there, sorry to say - I think he's an over officious bore. When he had good confidence (not always the case) I thought Wayne Barnes was quite good. And on occasion Nigel Owens has been good.
Jerry
Guest
Who gives a toss what those eye gouging chokers have to say. BOF.
deanB
Guest
Just watched the replay. Poite was done with 15 min to go. The level of play from both sides had him stuffed. The AR's recognised it and nursed him home. A poor appointment decision by the IRB. As for all the poor sports who insisted I have no right to enjoy the win,too bad,I just enjoyed it for the second time. I would have enjoyed it even more if Bismarck hadn't torpedoed himself. Already on a yellow and he pulls that move out of the bag. That's the sort of dumb aggression characteristic of amphetamine or steroid users, not international rugby players. Roll on Ellis Park hey Bokke. I love seeing all those happy black faces in their All Black clobber sitting amongst you. I find myself singing the Rainbow Connection every time.
NHINZA
Guest
Craig Joubert? Known in France as Richie's boyfriend for handing NZ RWC 2011? You must be joking.
Magic Sponge
Guest
For sure and they would have been pre warned by a ref committee and NZ management. It would have been one of the greatest games but instead a complete fizzer and no contest. PS I thought Nonu and Smith had blinders by the way .
Chan Wee
Guest
" When Romain Poite sent Bismark du Plessis to the bin for his tackle on Dan Carter and gave his reasons as being no arms and high, Bismark was shocked. He exclaimed ‘High?’ and Jean de Villiers immediately tapped him on the tummy and Bismark trotted off without a word. Respect for the referee, Respect for the captain and amazing sportsmanship. " This was a nice moment, not only becoz of ur reasons but also for the discipline the Boks seem to have regained under JDV and HM. Under PDV this would have caused chaos , simply becz PDV set a bad precedent with all his rants and actions. Now threre is clarity, who is the boss on the field and off it. Only JDV talks with ref. no back chat, swearing is not loud (but u can lip read) this is simillar to the discipline all blacks have , so HM is learning from the best and adopting. Contrast this with the OZ v Arg match; so many people were talking with and to the ref , it was difficult to listen on the sound from tv. the world's top 2 sides showed not only skills but certain things like hirerarchy and discipline will make u better than the rest.
Bruticus
Roar Pro
A real rugby man.
Jerry
Guest
Oh, he's an idiot and I'm always worried his stupid play might end up costing the AB's big time.
Nabley
Guest
Not what I was looking for, but thanks
Dsat24
Guest
+1 Hes a mate of DCs so would have been mindful of that in his wrap of the game. John Smit had a gracious approach aswell.
Garth
Guest
I'd like to see some NH refs from outside the 6 nations for once. Just because their home nations aren't Tier 1 or 2, doesn't mean a ref isn't up to officiating over an RC test. The rules are the same for everyone, you know, despite what some may think re: the AB's.There's been a Japanese ref at the last two(?) WC's who's been pretty good. Can't remember his name though.
Nabley
Guest
I am sorry Jerry I thought you were talking about Bismark and then branched off into Nonu. But while we are here, Nonu seems to do a lot of no arms work and I have always wondered what he hopes to achieve with it besides it being a foul. Probably represents his state of mental development.
atlas
Guest
Ma'a Nonu had a three-match suspension for a dangerous tackle which ended his Super rugby season for a dangerous tackle - so he starts from zero again this is his first yellow since - ie if he gets three yellows it is an automatic suspension - but judiciary would take into account past history, and he has too much of that. May only have a few more opportunities if his move to Clermont/France are true.
Rugby is Life
Guest
Ditto Ben, A man's man.