The Crusaders claimed an unprecedented eighth Super Rugby title, their first since 2008, as they beat the Lions 25-17 in Johannesburg on Saturday. The Lions played half the match with just 14 men, after flanker Kwagga Smith was red carded shortly before halftime.
More from this match to follow
Yeah. Ruga Matrix did a really good analysis here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78VeJauWGNE
Basically:
1. From the ruck, knock-on called against red (looked a bit harsh but that was the call).
2. The ball rolls free and Hall (Black 9) hacks it forward.
3. It hits Crotty (Black 12) in the side. Looks like accidental offside, so it ought to go back to the knock on as the kick was under advantage. Correct outcome is scrum black.
That said, it all happened so fast that the ref missed it, and none of the Lions complained either Them's the breaks.
Commentators at the time pointed out the difference between a kick chaser (Smith) running towards a stationary catcher who then leaps to catch it (which is mostly the case), and running towards a catcher who is barreling full speed in the opposite direction (as was the case here). This doubles the speed at which gaps are closed down and halves the time in which decisions to pull out or duck can be made.
As the laws stand, I cannot complain about the card (although I think the ban is ridiculous). But I think before apportioning blame you have to watch this at full speed and not in slo-mo, as we always see the replays. It happened frighteningly quickly.
Perhaps its best and most simple to look at it the way. The second Lions player there got it spot on in terms of timing. He assumed the ball would be jumped for and checked his run. He would have probably been in a v good position to smash him when he landed if he hadnt been taken out. That is what Smith should have done and is exactly what the laws are trying to get the chasers to do. This video could be used as a great example to explain to players what not to do and what to do
I don't like playing a game of assumptions... I assumed all the other team would be fat shits... didn't work out..
Smith runs full pace at 30 meters chasing a high ball. He has to, by default, assume that a Crusaders players is going to jump for the ball. Yes, the contact is accidental and yes, it is a big jump which makes it harder, but Smith has to assume there is going to be a Crusaders player in the air, so must adjust his actions appropriately.
This means not running at full pace for 30 meters chasing a high ball. Run 25 meters and check, or if he knows he is going to be able to compete then really go for it.
It would be interesting to know how much training there is in pro teams in terms of knowing how to chase the high ball and make sure they don't take the man out if they aren't going to get there.. Maybe Smith could have got out a split second earlier or ducked/thrown himself to the ground?
First try looked a bit iffy for me. Surely the 13 was offside coming back joining the ruck when the ball hit him and bounced free? Great pace from the winger though!
I can see a lot of players now looking for opportunities to jump into players following this. I think smith only put his arms up instinctively because there was someone jumping over his head. its technically a red card, but there's no malice or intent
the jump from havili was also huge and impossible to predict - with fitness levels and the amount of explosive power forever increasing, players wont be able to move within 10m of a catcher for fear of accidental contact