Wallabies flanker Dean Mumm has been both lucky and unlucky in the side’s current campaign.
Lucky to escape the sack for far too many ordinary performances, and yesterday unlucky to cop a one-match suspension for recklessly elbowing All Black lock Brodie Retallick in the 52nd minute.
Recklessly?
Bollocks.
Both Retallick and his lock partner Sam Whitelock had taken every opportunity to niggle or impede the Wallabies off the ball, and every time a Wallaby spun around to infer that’s enough, both All Blacks showed the colour of their mouthguards with a big smile.
Why is it rugby forwards can take each other out without the ball – cleanout is the buzz word – when backs doing the same are penalised?
The Mumm incident was in full view of the touchie who didn’t see fit to take any action, while referee Nigel Owens wasn’t aware of anything wrong, and he picked up plenty in 80 minutes.
Yet the duty judicial officer, Robert Stelzner SC, was the hawk-eye, citing Mumm post-game for striking.
The television replays were long range, but even at that distance, it was obvious Retallick was holding Mumm by the arm illegally, keeping the Wallaby out of the play.
Mumm retaliated with his back to Retallick, wrenching his arm free in a backwards motion, his elbow connecting with Retallick’s head, who collapsed and lay motionless.
Whether the reaction was genuine or a dive is a topic I’ll leave to the Oscar selectors.
But don’t take any notice of Mumm being remorseful at the hearing and pleading guilty, as both no doubt saved him from copping a few more weeks on the sideline – it’s all part of the ‘game.’
And it’s rubbish – Retallick deserved exactly what he got.
The niggle has become a tactical ploy, and if it’s not policed early by the referee and the touchies it will become endemic and red cards will automatically follow, ruining the game as a spectacle.
There was one very famous AFL niggle I shall never forget – I clapped at the time, long and loud.
It was 2008 and the big clash between the Sydney Swans and West Coast Eagles at ANZ with a big crowd.
Cards on the table, I am not an AFL fan, but quite often I’ll watch on television when the Swans are on duty.
That day, Eagle Brent Staker was constantly niggling the fiery Barry Hall with the ball suburbs away.
In the end, Hall said enough is enough and wheeled round to land a perfect punch on Staker’s jaw, sitting him on his backside with his legs in the air sporting a look of what the hell, why did you do that?
As if Staker didn’t know, he was the niggler.
Hall was cited, and copped a six-week holiday.
The quotes at the hearing from AFL counsel Jeff Gleeson QC were priceless.
“Mr Hall has thrown a punch that would make Rocky Balboa blush.
“The difference is he was not wearing gloves, he was not in the boxing ring, he was playing football and his opponent did not expect to be punched.”
That just goes to prove how dumb Staker was on two counts – baiting Hall in the first place and expecting him to cop it.
And the AFL niggle is still very operative despite Law 15.4.5 (e) which clearly states:
It’s prohibited to push bump, hold, or block an opposition Player when the football is more than five metres away from the opposition Player.
What’s the point of having that Law in place, if it’s going to be constantly ignored?
ClarkeG
Guest
Steve - you ask a question then ignore the answer. The judicial officer stated that he incurred an injury.
Steve T
Guest
After lying on ground pretending to be injured he had no problem resuming when no one was bothering stopping play. Compounding grubby shirtpulling with diving.
Steve T
Guest
[Mods. Snip. Derogatory terms used. WARNING]
ClarkeG
Guest
Except the blatant eye gouge was not an eye gouge but I'm sure you will keep on keeping on. Yeah you are probably right about the bad feeling to be fair. Certainly as far as Cheika is concerned there appears to be. I imagine it would be less at player level.
Rebellion
Guest
There is bad blood between the NZRFU and Wallabies atm Douglas had a duty of care to all players in reporting Franks for his blatent eye gouging - but he copped it on the chin instead and saved Franks from a heavy suspension. Not massively worried about Mumm's suspension as ultimately it will be good for the team. A bit like when Berrick Barnes got knocked out in the first test against the Lions or whenever Palu was injured over the last few years
Sage
Guest
What can I say? It is true Clarke. It is said begrudgingly and he infuriated me over the years but it is genuine. Credit were credit is due. To Ngati - agreed, you need to have a bloody good understanding of the rules to break them so well for so long. Some call this cheating.
Digby
Roar Guru
I was Soap, and in your view what fans think of it the Wallaby stance. I agree with your last statement too, but, as it stands currently that is the option and in some aspects it makes sense as the officials wont find everything either. Players know.
Digby
Roar Guru
Sorry Timbo, have been waylaid. No, I don't think Franks should have had his hands around his face, but he did and it happens, and not just by ABs either as has been demonstrated as 'incidental' contact happens. It is my view also that if the Wallabies and Douglas are not willing to make a statement about it then it is not worth pursuing either and that is a view I have held for a long time, including complaints against the French for eye gouging McCaw after the 2011 final. If he and AB management wont make a stand on it, no point discussing it further. As it is with player safety, the game has a long way to go even after the knowledge we have today but you cannot sanitise it completely and nor do I think we should. I have stated, have no issue with a bit of niggle but in my mind there is a clear difference between this and thuggery and cynical play. There is too much focus on the 'retaliator' and the whole situation should be looked with regards to Mumm and Retallick, it is too easy to bait people. Of course there are differences between each set of fans and it is mostly logical that many will support their own but I can tell you that I do not 'champion' foul play, nor do most Kiwis that I know. Some will try and defend the indefensible, sure, but it is what it is. I am unsure what foul play you are referring too as well, any examples? Messam was panned for giving away the penalty for the Boks to win in 2014, though plenty of debate also about big screen replays etc. Loe was an idiot for his attack on Corozza and though before my time, I am well aware that many were disappointed by Meads actions on Catchpole, my father was personally scathing of his opinion of Meads and would nominate other All Blacks as more worthy of the adulation, but each will make their own decisions. Your observation between the opposing sets of fans is nonsense in my experience.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Riccardo - Nothing emotional hyperbole about my posts. They are cold , clinical and objective. I have stated Mumm should not have lashed out and he deserves the sanction ie.rightly suspended. I then state players that cyncially infringe should be YC'd far more readily than they are now. Retallick was an example of that type of infringing but I clearly state players not just him.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Carlos - Yes he was concussed. However he took a head knock LATER and he went off after that. It is quite likely this head knock gave him concussion. Yes there is a chance he received it here but not defninitvely. No eating humble crow and yes it still looks like Argentinian Swan dive to me. If that offends you due to the Argentinian bit then perhaps they should not indulge in so much diving.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Typical pre judgement and not reading what is written. I wrote However players take advantage with niggling and cynical infringing like retalicks should be punished with yc’s not just a penalty sometimes when you are caught. I do not restrict that to any one country. ALL players form every country this applies to. I have a long record of calling for that. Scrums are always a lottery and Owens has never been good at them. On many crucial areas Owens incorrectly or inconsistently punished the wallabies as is usual for him.
ClarkeG
Guest
Please excuse me but I doubt your honesty in this instance.
soapit
Guest
not exactly sure of your question but if im following i think it probably was worth a citing based on previous incidents as the face/head/neck was clearly played at repeatedly and no real effort to let go on second thoughts ur probably referring to the camp wallaby not following it up. personally i dont think it should get to the point where its in the hands of the opposition to make complaints in a professional sport.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Oh? Is that the same distraught Douglas that aside he didn't even notice anything? And you're discussing degree here? Retallick was motionless on the ground. Can you imagine trying to argue the point if the two were reversed?
Beezlebub
Guest
Niggling play by the AB's that's rather rich when we were playing in Wellington who were the masters of the niggle, in fact that tactic was our only game plan coming from the Clown! Please Australians stop your pathetic whining and blame games it's rather sad, man up and zip the lip (from an Aussie in Melbourne!)
Ngati Tumutumu
Roar Rookie
Or you could say he had a bloody good understanding of the rules? Maybe.
Ngati Tumutumu
Roar Rookie
Quite right Geoff they didn't turn Possession and Territory into points, that is the major problem they had which was quite a similar problem they had against England if memory serves me right.
Boz the Younger
Guest
Colin, my bad :-)
Ngati Tumutumu
Roar Rookie
David do you advocate retaliation? So if next time Coleman Dives shoulder first in to a ruck with pin point accuracy on someones face, it is ok to get up and elbow him in his throat or face which is pretty much what Coleman does at most rucks anyway imo. Or do you only think it is alright to retaliate when you perceive it is an Australian being fouled and his only action is to throw an elbow towards someones face and neck. Because I have a sneaky suspicion if a Wallaby was elbowed in the face your position on this might be the exact opposite to what you have written. If I am wrong I apologise hey I would love to see a good rucking again. But I don't want to see vigilantes throwing elbows around I watch Muy Thai for that.
Timbo (L)
Guest