Thu 26 Nov 2015 | 10:45
George Pisi demolishes opposite number Mark Bennett with huge hit

6
Comments

Northampton Saints centre George Pisi is building a reputation as being one of the hardest hitting centres in the game, and he's done it again, most recently against Glasgow Warriors in the European Champions Cup. It was arguably the biggest tackle of the weekend.

The Samoan launched into Scotland international Mark Bennett, causing some concern for the local fans, leading to referee Pascal Gauzere taking a closer look with the TMO. Gauzere said it was fine, so Pisi stayed on the field and Bennett used the time for a much needed breather.

Pisi has shown on numerous occasions that he reads the game beautifully and loves crash tackling, and this is just another example of a well executed, trademark midfield hit. 

Bennett was trying to get the ball on the inside to Sean Lamont, but took his eyes off it with the imminent Samoan threat heading in his direction. Boom.

Pisi recently thumped Owen Farrell, and last year he made a devastating monster hit on Shane Geraghty, causing the London Irish back to be physically sick on the field.

And then there's poor old Nick Abendanon. Samoan players have a history of brutalising the now Clermont fullback, and when it's not the Tuilagi brothers going it, Pisi has been on hand to deliver.

In 2011 he made a similar crunching hit on Abendanon, and then in last year's Challenge Cup Final Pisi got him again, that time with a blindside hit.

Since posting this clip both here and on Instagram, Glasgow Warriors teammate Stuart Hogg found it rather amusing, so Bennett was good humoured enough to respond.

You can view the aforementioned hits in the Related Posts below, and the hit on Farrell on page two

6 Comments

  • 10stonenumber10
    2:07 AM 29/11/2015

    That's it.

    99% of us cannot throw a pass like Carter. Most of us cannot pull of a Rupeni Caucaunibuca length of field scorcher. The one thing we all have in common though is the physicality. If you've ever played a game of rugby, you will know exactly how it feels to smash someone, or to be smashed. It is the easiest part of the sport to identify with.

  • rich_w
    12:03 PM 27/11/2015

    I don't think anyone is glorifying the fact that Bennet was out cold, nobody wants to see that. But big hits are the reason most of us play rugby, when I go out on the field I want to smash people (legally), and I expect everyone wearing a different coloured shirt than me to attempt to do the same to me. That's why rugby is fun!

    The collisions just thankfully aren't quite as extreme in 4th team rugby...

  • rich_w
    11:58 AM 27/11/2015

    What in that comment drips with saints bias? And typical of what exactly?

    Completely agree Jimmy. I get more and more annoyed at crowds at rugby games booing at any remotely marginal decision on the big screen and chanting 'off, off'. This was a cracking hit, how Stuart Barnes makes a living as a commentator is beyond me.

  • stroudos
    10:44 AM 27/11/2015

    Well I'm neutral and I agree with every word of Jimmy's comment.
    Having said that I would not like to wear one of those tackles myself.

  • 10stonenumber10
    12:59 AM 27/11/2015

    Most videos and discussion are about 50/50 calls, forward passes, blatant foul play or referee error. It is refreshing to see a one-man wrecking ball going about his business without crossing the line.

    It isn't fun seeing someone stay down, but I can assure you that putting in a rib breaker hurts almost as taking one. Pisi might not show it, but a hit like that leave you delicate for a minute or two after.

    There are two sides to every hit though... One is the player on the floor, morale and ribs in pieces, the other is the player who read the move, got his timing perfect, and forced a rabbit-in-the-headlights knock on. You have got to be made of stern stuff to play at the top level, much respect to Bennett getting up after that hit, an average human would still be out cold!

  • jimmy23
    3:10 PM 26/11/2015

    Anyone who has a problem with that needs to man up I reckon and I'm not saying that cause I'm a Saints fan. Tackle was perfectly alright, NOT high (no matter how much you want it to be Stuart) and was committed to the tackle. If Bennett had caught it and Pisi had pulled out = missed tackle.

    The crowd annoyed me here as well, I'm glad the Ref wasn't swayed by their desperate booing :P