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Sat 21 Sep 2013 | 06:35
Isaia Tuifua's huge hit for Taranaki in the ITM Cup

11
Comments

Taranaki beat Bay of Plenty 21-3 in New Plymouth on Saturday evening, scoring two well taken tries in wet conditions. Here's a look at one of the tries and one of the moments of the match, a massive tackle by Taranaki centre Isaia Tuifua.

There was a big shot in the lead up to the Kurt Baker try - which has now been added on page two of this post - but this hit by Tuifua was the biggest of the match, and perhaps even the season.

Opposite number 12 Nick Evemy was rocked in the powerful hit by Tuifua, who got in position early and dominated in the tackle. It looked brutal in real time, so questions were asked.

The referee requested that it be checked by the TMO, just to make sure there was use of the arms, but as everyone at home could see, that wasn't a problem and the game carried on, with the big tackler being congratulated by his team mates and cheered by the crowd.

Earlier in the game Sevens star Baker had scored a very well taken try after he was put away down the wing from a pass that could well have been forward. It was also checked by the TMO, but they seemed to give the benefit of the doubt to Baker after a great chip and chase then finish. 

The big tackle that caused the turnover, by Blade Thomson on Joe Tupe, didn't really get the credit or focus it deserved because of the pass and finish, but it was a beauty. You can view a video of that on page two, and below is Tuifua's huge tackle.

The Kurt Baker try that came about after a solid tackle by Blade Thomson

Posted By: Grant Constable

11 Comments

  • katman
    9:34 PM 26/09/2013

    Compared to this hit, Bismarck put Carter to bed with a soft blanky and a bottle of warm milk and tiptoed out the room.

  • cheyanqui
    3:24 PM 23/09/2013

    KEEP CALM
    and
    CARRY ON
    ......
    DAN CARTER
    was not
    INVOLVED

  • rugbydump
    2:54 PM 23/09/2013

    Yep, it is indeed

  • 2:06 PM 23/09/2013

    Great hit. If Evemy looked he would have easily been able to step the guy as he set himself for the tackle a little early but I admire the lads conviction to stick with his line and back himself to win the contact battle. You win some, you lose some.

  • porky
    1:54 PM 23/09/2013

    BestHookerInTown- I see your point, but do you not think that this is much better than the DuPlessis result? If i were a saffer i would much rather Poite had used the TMO and seen that his call was nonsense and carry on as happened in this vid.

  • juggernauter
    11:26 PM 22/09/2013

    Agree. I'd add to that that refs have to be careful not to ask the TMO to check every time they have a doubt regarding play. It's a useful resource but we don't want rugby to become some gridiron hybrid with stops every minute.

    Cheers

  • 12:29 PM 22/09/2013

    Couldn't agree more Stroudos. A very underrated part of the spectator experience.

  • stroudos
    12:01 PM 22/09/2013

    Understand your frustration, but one fortuitous consequence is the fans get to enjoy the tackle again on the big screen! And RD fans get to enjoy a few different camera angles and slow-mo replays...

  • 11:34 PM 21/09/2013

    I disagree. In the past, players would get away with cheap shots only because the ref didn't fully see it. Now the ref is given the chance to review possible foul play and ensure justice is served. Watching a good tackle a few times is worth it

  • besthookerintown
    11:02 PM 21/09/2013

    To be honest I'm a bit disgruntled about this video. I mean the tackle is great and everything, but how could a referee, who was standing right in front of the play with absolutely nobody blocking his view, ask the television match official was it a shoulder charge.

    This was a cracking first notch tackle, two big 12's running into each other at full pace, only one of them had the right technique though. So how could a ref ask a television match official whether it was a shoulder charge.

    Ref's really have to sort themselves out soon, this sort of behavior is getting outrages. To be honest I'd wish the IRB made a rule where only ex-professional players were allowed to be a ref.

    Sorry about this rant, but with Du Plusses getting a yellow card last week for a legit tackle and now the the ref in this game asking whether another legitimate tackle was within the rules, it's all becoming a bit annoying as a rugby fan!!

    Great hit!!

  • stroudos
    9:26 PM 21/09/2013

    Bosh. Tremendous hit.

    I hate to be a pedant, but I'd question the knock-on decision - looked like Tuifua scooped the ball back with his hand to me.

    Tell you what though, someone needs to have a word with the person in charge of organising the team kits for this match!

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