Tri-Nations
Time to boot Div?
2010-07-19 09:35
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Peter de Villiers (Gallo)
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Wellington - Chris Rattue, the New Zealand Herald sports writer who made himself very unpopular in South Africa when he referred to Johannesburg during the Soccer World Cup as a "hell-hole", has now come out in defence of the Springboks following their 31-17 defeat against the All Blacks in Wellington on Saturday.
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In his column in the NZ Herald, Rattue pointed out Sky TV started coverage of the clash by getting referee Alain Rolland's nationality wrong - putting the French colours alongside the Irishman's name.
"Sounds French so must be French - a mistake a few of us have been close to making with Rolland over the years," he wrote.
"Rolland was French by suspicion, which is the sort of justice he meted out to Danie Rossouw, the Springbok lock, a few minutes later.
"The sinbinning of Rossouw was diabolical, the distorting of a major international sporting contest on scant evidence.
"You'll see more dangerous pushing and shoving in the pie queue. In fact, the pies themselves are probably more dangerous.
"Rossouw used a hand to flick Richie McCaw, who was sitting on the ground, around the temple and perhaps a little close to the eyes for comfort. What ensued was the letting off of early Test match steam, a bit of push and shove with no damage done.
"McCaw swiped at Rossouw with his forearm. Rossouw responded by shoving a gentle knee in McCaw's direction.
"Replay of the event shows the knee was not even close to making contact with McCaw's head or body, only McCaw's arm.
"The All Blacks were clearly superior, on speed alone, and thoroughly deserved their second-Test victory, although the lineout reverted to a shambles and they made a fair few mistakes.
"What can't be ignored, though, is that the All Blacks were given a significant leg up, scoring 10 points while Rossouw was sitting down.
"Rossouw would have been a big part of the Springboks' early plans to tie up possession and turn the forward battle into trench warfare. He made their first significant tackle, smashing Owen Franks backwards.
"Moreover, we, the paying public, not to mention the Springboks, deserved an honest contest, and not one altered by a ridiculous yellow card. The All Blacks also deserved to have their victory scored in the fairest of conditions.
"Rolland clearly stated that the yellow card was for kicking, but Rossouw did not use his boot, and did not make any significant contact with his knee.
"So far in the two Tri-Nations games, we have seen a headbutt go unpunished, along with a spear tackle from Jean de Villiers and a shoulder charge from Rene Ranger - actions that can seriously hurt the victims.
"Yet Bakkies Botha has been sent to the sin-bin for killing the ball, while the All Blacks were able to do this only under threat and without serious sanction in Wellington. Rossouw received a yellow for a bit of child's play that endangered no one.
"Rugby is getting this seriously wrong. No other sport dismisses players - and thus alters the contest - with such an off-hand attitude.
"The victory was badly tainted, and needlessly so. We all got robbed, he wrote.
Rattue also believes South Africa's Rugby World Cup prospects will be best served by a Tri-Nations disaster that allows them the perfect excuse to axe the Lippy Looney, coach Peter de Villiers.
"Age may be starting to catch up with a couple of Springboks, notably their legendary leader John Smit. The problem is, Smit - by quiet account - actually runs the Springbok team along with veteran lineout ace Victor Matfield with input from the assistant coaches.
"Smit hasn't been as prominent around the field as we've come to expect, and the Springboks have an outstanding alternative in the injured Bismarck du Plessis along with Gary Botha.
"The jury will also start to scratch the chin about Matfield's all-round contribution, especially with ball in hand and in the physical confrontations.
"As for playing Jean de Villiers on the wing - utter madness from de Villiers ... or should that be Smit.
"Peter de Villiers has been a train-driver coach, able to sit back and push a few buttons as his juggernaut powers along.
"With rule changes and advancing years catching up with the Boks, he now has serious coaching and selecting to do. He isn't up to it and was completely outplayed by a resurgent, grinning Graham Henry.
"De Villiers was a political appointment - the administration acknowledged as much about a man with no senior coaching CV.
"If South African rugby had foresight and real desperation, it would realise the game is up, the joke is over, and give de Villiers the boot, and quick," he concluded.