Sun 22 Jun 2014 | 06:02
South Africa maintain home record with dramatic last ditch win over Wales

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A dramatic late penalty try denied Wales a first ever win in South Africa, as the Springboks fought back twice to snatch victory at the death. It was an agonising 31-30 defeat for the Welsh, who led for 78 minutes before referee Steve Walsh's big decision.

After a tense start to the game, in which Wales put up far more of a fight than last week, the visitors shot out to 17-0 lead following tries to Jamie Roberts and the outstanding Alex Cuthbert.

Late in the half the Springboks came back, putting enourmous pressure on the Welsh close to the tryline, leading to two yellow cards and a penalty try. By halftime the Boks trailed by just three points, 17-14, but Wales started the second well, scoring a controversial try through Ken Owens.

Dan Biggar extended the lead to 13 points with ten minutes remaining, as the Springboks trailed 30-17 and looked set for their first ever loss to Wales at home, after a performance that was anything but what they displayed in Durban a week earlier.

Willie Le Roux had a strong second half though, scoring a try himself and helping Cornal Hendricks to not only a try, but an opportunity to score in the corner with time almost up.

Wales fullback Liam Williams came in for what was an incredible try saving tackle, but made with no use of the arms, so Walsh stepped up and after conferring with the TMO, dramatically awarded a penalty try in what one has to say was one of the most dramatic decisions of recent times.

Biggar came close with a drop goal in the final seconds, but it went wide and South Africa hung on to take the series 2-0 ahead of a meeting with Scotland in Port Elizabeth next weekend. 

"As a collective, we can be proud moving forward," said Wales tour captain Alun-Wyn Jones. "This is not the result we would have wanted going into the off season, but definitely the performance."

Following the match prop Samson Lee received a citing for an alleged second half headbutt that occurred shortly before the Owens try in the second half. The hearing was last night but the result has been deferred until midweek. 

It was a Test match of epic proportions, with multiple talking points, so feel free to discuss in the comments rather than have each and every incident or dramatic moment written about here. We'll get better quality highlights posted when possible, but for now the below clip should cover it.

119 Comments

  • drg
    4:08 PM 03/07/2014

    You do realise that at a glance you've written more or less the same amount as I have. My definition of "in the past" in this respect is that, I do not hold a grudge over the fact your opinion differs from mine. The fact you continue to throw in little 'jibes' shows you'd be far more suited to https://www.youtube.com

    If you want to try again and join in on further topics come join the latest videos, there is one about Warburton, I'm sure you can put your valuable opinion on that.

  • dirtylittlescrumbag
    3:21 PM 03/07/2014

    You do amuse me DrG... "it's in the past as is this whole affair between yourself and I (for me anyway)" ..and yet you keep responding with numerous, lengthy replies. Not one to let things go that's for sure.

    You also have a very peculiar definition of what abuse is. I'm sure you're mummy told you many times to 'not be an idiot' (for all the good it did), I'm guessing she never called you a 'dick' though. You may have spotted a light-hearted jibe in there, please do not cry over this as well.

  • drg
    2:50 AM 01/07/2014

    Just taking the liberty to show you how interesting your posts are:

    A quote from one of your posts..

    "DirtyLittleScrumbag June 23, 2014 9:34 pm

    Don't be an idiot..."

    Interesting, didn't you JUST say "There hasn't been, and won't be, any abuse in any of my posts"...

    Look, I get it's not exactly the most heart breaking thing I've been called and frankly this is all very over done, we can both be a little more grown up, but as Clint Eastwood once said, "Don't piss down my leg and tell me it's raining!'

  • drg
    2:41 AM 01/07/2014

    Yawn...

    I'm not sure why I'm bothered by someone who thinks a referee shouldn't award a penalty try AND a card to someone because he already carded a player on their team...

    ..you're boring me on here and you're lagging behind. There have been many more topics on this site since this one. Don't hold onto this Welsh loss, it's in the past as is this whole affair between yourself and I (for me anyway)... I look forward to catching up on the next topic we disagree on.

    Until then, take care.

    Kind regards

    Wannabe Mod..

  • dirtylittlescrumbag
    6:26 PM 30/06/2014

    'wild comments that are frankly outrageous' lol, this exactly the kind of hysterical over-reaction I'm talking about, what exactly have I said that was so outrageous? After just a few posts you called me a 'dick' for no reason, not that I'm arsed but you seem the type who loves preaching about rules to other people yet you clearly can't follow simple forum rules...smh.

    Telling people to 'take their medication' when you think they're being silly commonly passes as harmless banter amongst men, if you think this is abusive or offensive you need to get out more.

    Stop being a wannabe mod. There hasn't been, and won't be, any abuse in any of my posts, forums are generally places for people to vent their opinions, if you don't like mine I suggest you don't read them.

  • danknapp
    7:25 AM 26/06/2014

    It's our fault, we shouldn't have fed the troll. Which as far as I can tell, is what you are. From now on, no more troll feeding.

  • drg
    2:17 AM 26/06/2014

    To be honest, we look at the game through different eyes. Sinclair did not make contact with the Scottish player with his elbow, it was the muscley spongy part of his forearm.

    Whilst I cannot be bothered to confirm what made contact first and where in Williams case, he deserved the abuse for the simple inability to perform a legitimate try saving tackle...

  • drg
    2:14 AM 26/06/2014

    I think you're a little muddled, so you want to INCLUDE forwards in attacking play, but you get your back up when teams include forwards in defensive play by fanning out????

    "and we backs were part of the drill too"

    So really, you've just admitted right there why you're unqualified make judgements on lineouts...

    Many lineouts are not worth contesting, it's a judgement call, on your own 5m line, it might be wise to set a good counter drive platform etc...

    I personally think backs run to fast, I think we should go back to the old days when everyone wore kit that weighed half a ton and heavy old boots, that would slow the backs down a bit.... Am I equally unqualified to change your part of the game?

  • larry
    6:50 PM 25/06/2014

    A runner can defend himself/herself by fending off, but of course there's the issue of dangerous play. So was the "fend off" of using an elbow to the head dangerous play? The Scot was injured, so on the surface it was dangerous play. I doubt a penalty would have been called several decades ago (maybe by some refs, but not many), and I like to reference the past because there wasn't so many cameras then to breakdown play after the fact, and certainly no TMOs. I doubt a penalty would have been called in a lower division club match. Technology, then, has made first class matches one of having Big Brother watching very carefully. It's become nearly impossible to do anything beyond the laws without being seen. In one way it's great, so that really horrible punches and kicks off the ball don't seem to happen anywhere near as much in first class rugby, and when they do the consequences are very severe. The downside is that perhaps too much is being seen, games are stopped and analyzed for several minutes while touch judges, TMOs, and referees decide if something a player has done warrants a penalty, yellow card, red card, etc., with a later citing and possible suspension.
    It's the same with Williams tackle attempt. He did wrap one arm, but he didn't wrap both arms! I would have to assume that players in these international and first class matches know cameras are watching, and therefore should be aware that what they do is going to be seen, either in the present by the referee and touch judges, or afterwards by the cameras and TMOs. Hell, there's even a camera on the corner flag! That doesn't mean foul play is not ever going to happen again.

  • larry
    6:36 PM 25/06/2014

    Which is better than blowing the whistle too early. I'll recheck to see if the referee did indicate advantage. I didn't see that, only the player going through, stopping and raising his arms (which isn't such a great idea, as it only signals that one is offside), and returning to his team's side of play, play continuing on, and the Boks scoring. But the point I am making is that in so many instances in a similar part of the pitch, near the defending team's goal line, play is whistled to a stop, and there's three points instead of five.

  • larry
    6:29 PM 25/06/2014

    There already has been, in international rugby, some very large centers and wings. Regarding flattening opposition, regardless of size of players involved, that's exactly what the game has devolved into in so many ways and in so much of any one single match. I'll still go by my argument that the current lineout laws are a joke, and way too many of them go uncontested, as do so many rucks and mauls because of the law changes going back to the mid-90's. I'd rather see defensive forwards fighting for the ball in mauls and rucks rather than fanning out to mark potential runner on the defensive side. I've been thinking of ways with current laws to break these defensive walls up, and I've seen some tactics being used just in viewing some of these video clips in the recent weeks. Obviously using quick ball is one way, but then pinpoint passing and using skip passes really is essential, as Australia proved against France, and those were brilliant tries to see. And whatever backline was formed (combinations of backs and forwards) off the previous play, it was flat and running near the opposition without running into it.
    I can see using forward rushes much more, but avoid direct contact and off load to keep the ball moving instead of dying with it by going to ground to form a phony ruck and allowing the defense to fan out and over-mark. One of my old clubs I played with, back in the 80's practiced forward rushes (and we backs were part of the drill too: close order running and passing designed to keep the ball alive and avoid a breakdown). We had a few New Zealanders on the club.
    You might think the game as it is looks great. I don't.

  • reality
    3:44 PM 25/06/2014

    Actually, now that I think about it, the Hernandez tackle was pretty legal. At first glance I thought that since he sent him flying and didn't go with him that it was a shoulder-charge but I suppose the reason he didn't go down in the tackle with him was more due to the angles of running and speed with which they collided. Bad call by me.

  • vladimir
    11:06 AM 25/06/2014

    Are kidding? As the player wrapped the ball carier, the referee signaled him he was infringing and made him stop. Then he stretched his arm to indicate a penalty and gave the boks the advantage.
    If it did not affect the play, it was because the referee did an excellent job to stop the infringement.

  • drg
    10:42 AM 25/06/2014

    Just so we're on the same page, you're talking about the Jebb Sinclair incident?

    http://www.rugbydump.com/2014/06/3778/jebb-sinclair-controversially-red-carded-for-leading-with-the-elbow

    If that's the one you're referring too, then I defended the Canadian player because the law, imo was not designed to stop that sort of incident - view the comments and someone posts a link to an irish player 'leading with a forearm'! The other reason I defended it was because if you look at the picture for the incident you'll see the Scottish players face is against the Canadians forearm - and if you hold your arm in the same position that is one of the musclier parts of your arm, therefore fairly spongy...

    The other reason for not liking Williams effort is because of the way he put in a moronic attempt at a try saving tackle which would have worked perfectly had he just put in a tackle...a normally dive, I mean he went far enough to actually dive into Hendricks, why didn't he do it properly? So the elbow was not so much the incident for me, it was the illegal and moronic attempt to save a try....

  • drg
    10:29 AM 25/06/2014

    Oh that isn't an insult now is it? I mean you don't insult people, you said so yourself....

    Continue with your likeable attitude and I think you'd fit in perfectly with the chaps on:

    www.youtube.com

    Try that..

  • drg
    10:27 AM 25/06/2014

    @Pipo and Bunn

    I don't think Hernandez or Toeava tackle were illegal? Definitely not Hernandezs' tackle - I think Toeava tackle was 'less ideal' but he has an arm round Hapes shoulder. Nice videos though, thank you for bringing them to light.

  • drg
    10:22 AM 25/06/2014

    I've already done this with you before.

    You don't seem to understand that as someone who plays second row/back row, I stand at 6'5 - 6'6 (depends on who is measuring). If my supporting players can lift a brick the same height as their opposite numbers, yet the opposition second row is 6'3, then I have the advantage. So yes, there is a great reason to have tall players in the lineouts.

    As for loose forwards, are you really attempting to stop this? If you made a law where this was not allowed to happen (some way of policing it) you'd basically get a team that has a 6'5, 19 stone centre who can run like the wind, they pass it to him and watch him flatten the 'little' backs, because there would be no forward cover to assist the tackle....

  • drg
    10:14 AM 25/06/2014

    @DLSB

    Look, it's nice to have someone new on here, but the fact is, you've come in, all guns blazing and made wild comments that are frankly outrageous.

    You can; again, tell people to take their medication, which you view as fine, but when someone calls you a name then it's wrong.
    You call my comment facetious, when above you have literally stated showing sarcasm, signs of humour etc are 'strictly prohibited'...

    Frankly you'd have been better off scoping this site out for a day or two with a couple of quite introductory comments, stating how you feel perhaps some of the decisions weren't correct, instead of flying in here and prancing about like a one eyed Welshman...

  • kadova
    11:52 PM 24/06/2014

    Wilkinson turned to Bouddhism after being injured 15 times in a row in 4 years.
    There's a 23 min long video in French about him on Youtube, that i have translated in the comments:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rEo6zqRTNc

  • bunn
    10:41 PM 24/06/2014

    I think this try saving tackle by Toeava on Hape is also an example of a shoulder charge (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afadbK_qxCI) which was referred to the TMO but not picked up. Please excuse the butchering of space by England.....

  • drg
    10:22 PM 24/06/2014

    'DirtyLittleScrumbag June 23, 2014 3:02 pm

    "Take your medication and calm down." '

    Game, set and match....

  • pipo
    7:58 PM 24/06/2014

    I'm biased 'cause I idolize the magician but to me Hernandez' tackle on Tuilagi (http://www.rugbydump.com/2007/04/95/juan-martin-hernandez-huge-covering-tackle-on-alesana-tuilagi) doesn't look illegal. He seems to attempt (and that is all that is required by the laws if I am not mistaken) to wrap his arms. You can see his left hand in front of Tuilagi and his right one on the back, it's just that the hit was so solid they both bounce off.

    Oh, and yes! It was Kearney on Rocky Elsom, thanks for that. Here's the video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhS1kgZMyzo) that clearly shows he made no attempt to wrap.

  • larry
    3:20 PM 24/06/2014

    And lets hope the game can continue to be one for all players of all sizes. But I think law changes would have to be made for that to happen. Get rid of lifting, or at least amend to the original lifting laws (only support when the player jumps off the ground first and already is in the air) and bring back the lineout throw to the offending team on a penalty kick into touch. Perhaps a more vertical approach with the ball in hand in second phase,using forward rushes, which the All Blacks had down pat for decades, can suck in more defensive forwards to open up the mid-field again. Otherwise, the game looks so much more now like rugby league, which I don't like, with all these forwards fanning out across the pitch, who seem to all be about 6'2" or 6'3" and about 14 to 16 stone: in other words, mobile loose forwards. Is a really tall player necessary with the lineout laws? With less emphasis on the scrum, are short and squatty props and hookers needed anymore? There's too many markers for backs. And this tactic of running players ahead of the ball, again taken from rugby league, where it's legal (and it is not legal in rugby union, but is allowed anyway), seems counterproductive. I'd rather have supporters running behind the ball, not ahead, in which they are actually obstructing. If that's a strategy to counter a cluttered midfield, I don't think it's a good idea. Yeah, it seems to pay off in this video clip with tries, but reading the laws, it is illegal to run players as dummy runners so far out in front of the ball. I guess refs would only call a penalty if one of the dummy runners actually makes contact with a defender. I have seen that happen since this tactic came in vogue.

  • larry
    3:06 PM 24/06/2014

    So this elbow to the face was nothing compared to the Canadian's elbow to the Scots player's head, which did cause an injury. There was harm involved. The harm in this tackle was that a try wasn't scored, but a penalty try awarded for the offense. Yet plenty of posters defended the Canadian player. Yeah, I guess technically it was illegal, this tackle. He only wrapped one arm, not both. Seems there's a bit of hypocrisy here on this site.
    On to another issue, I was really happy to see that the referee did not blow up a penalty when that Welsh forward went through the ruck, offside, but didn't, and I'll repeat didn't, affect ongoing play. No harm, no foul. The ref didn't even signal for an offside. He let play go on, and South Africa scored a try.

  • dirtylittlescrumbag
    1:24 PM 24/06/2014

    I really hope you're not breeding.

  • dirtylittlescrumbag
    1:16 PM 24/06/2014

    Yeah no abuse in any of my posts I think you'll find...old chap.

  • dirtylittlescrumbag
    1:13 PM 24/06/2014

    Not with whining like that they aren't, rugby is a physical game is it not? ..it was clearly a bad tackle and all that but as Tana Umaga once said 'jeez don't be a sook'.

  • dirtylittlescrumbag
    1:00 PM 24/06/2014

    Obviously I'd have taken the penalty try by itself minus the 2 yellow cards, one yellow would have been sufficient. There are clearly many grey areas in the rules (or 'laws') of rugby union, particularly the rucks & mauls, denying this is denying reality. Given such ambiguity with the rules claiming to know with absolute certainty what the correct decision should be in these situations is silly.

  • drg
    12:45 PM 24/06/2014

    Pretty much what Dan and Reality said...

    But the other thing is, I believe there is some call for the referee to basically make a decision on what WOULD have happened if that player (in this case Williams) had not been there at all...

    So of course you're probably saying "if Williams had tackled properly the ball would have been dislodged" (which could be right), but because he didn't tackle properly, he gets taken out of the equation altogether, no benefit of the doubt, he is literally not included at all... So in that case, the last defender was North? I think... North missed the tackle and Hendricks is in...

    So would it have been a try? Yes = Penalty try beneath the sticks - Sadly for Hendricks his name would not be on the score sheet.

  • dirtylittlescrumbag
    12:44 PM 24/06/2014

    Fair enough, life ban it is then for Mr Phillips for being a 'distinctly unpleasant' character, no place for you here old chap.

  • dirtylittlescrumbag
    12:39 PM 24/06/2014

    Careful, you seem to be displaying signs of humour/casual sarcasm which are strictly prohibited on these forums.

  • drg
    12:36 PM 24/06/2014

    Yes as long as you possess a couple brain cells in which to debate with...

  • dirtylittlescrumbag
    12:35 PM 24/06/2014

    lol not always, getting pasted by a superior team, as is nearly always the case when we play the all blacks, usually takes the referee out of the equation in post match analysis.

  • drg
    12:34 PM 24/06/2014

    Oh yes Dan, but I'm not sure you're right, I mean of course there are still those sorts of people which spit in public and never wash and swear, hoot and roar in public, and I think Mike Phillips is more pleasant than them...

    Oh and football fans, I think Mike Phillips is more pleasant than them too....

    *rolls his eyes*

  • drg
    12:29 PM 24/06/2014

    Are you for real Dirtylittlescumbag?

    You wrote this: "We're a sensitive bunch here aren't we? If I think somebody is wrong or being silly I'll say so, that's what generally happens in forums."

    Which was a reply to someone calling you out for telling someone else to "take their medication"...

  • 9:42 AM 24/06/2014

    If he'd given the penalty try earlier you'd then be complaining that he gave the penalty try to early. Was that maul legal?? Do you actually play rugby?! That's a textbook maul! There's no interpretation needed there, only rudimentary knowledge of the laws of the game. I agree that often cards are handed out too easily, but here I feel that both were deserved. Especially the second.

  • 9:38 AM 24/06/2014

    Cant have truck and trailer if the maul was already formed. Even if all the defending players leave, the maul was still formed in the first place so they can just waltz up the park. (i believe)

  • reality
    8:35 AM 24/06/2014

    I see what you're getting at, but the difference here is that in the examples you give two separate actions happen, whereas in the case of Williams it was one, illegal action. You can argue that a split second before his elbow connected he dislodged the ball, but the action has to be considered in its entirety and not broken down millisecond by millisecond. He made an illegal tackle and in doing so caused the player to lose the ball and go into touch, and as a result, an illegal intervention led to the try not being scored.

    Then, even if you were to look at it as being two acts, you could also say that he was able to dislodge the ball because of his illegal technique whereas if he had gone to make a normal tackle he might not have dislodged it. As well, you could argue that Hendricks saw this elbow coming towards his face and as a result his survival instinct took over and he loosened his grip on the ball thereby allowing it to be dislodged.

  • danknapp
    8:31 AM 24/06/2014

    Mr Dogg, welcome to RD. Big fan of your work.

  • danknapp
    8:29 AM 24/06/2014

    I hope his form continues into the World Cup. He could set it alight and be one of the main stars.

  • danknapp
    8:29 AM 24/06/2014

    Hyperbole isn't wasted on you, is it?

    As Canadian content is aware, because he watched the video and because he didn't arrive on RD ten minutes ago, Mike Phillips is something of a repeat offender. He cannot let a fight go without getting involved. He can't let a little bit of glaring go without it being a fight. He is basically as badly behaved as my two year old during one of her mood swings.

    However to help you out, once you discount any human being who has actually raped, murdered, had sexual encounters with children, and become hardened to the world of crime, then Mike Phillips is left looking distinctly more unpleasant than most.

  • reality
    8:22 AM 24/06/2014

    Pipo, the Irish example you cite was Rob Kearney shouldering Rocky Elsom in 2009. Elsom scored in the corner though despite the shoulder, so the referee erroneously didn't even think about it being foul play. You could also look at Juan Martin Hernandez blasting Alesana Tuilagi into touch with his shoulder and saving a try in a Stade Francais-Leicester match.

    The difference with Williams though is that he smashed his elbow into the other player's head, whereas at least the other examples were fairly safe - albeit illegal - shoulder to shoulder affairs.

  • snoop
    7:27 AM 24/06/2014

    My main question, in regards to the last try and decision:

    Before contact had been made with the shoulder/elbow, making it an illegal tackle, the South African winger had already lost control of the ball because the Welsh tackler had dislodged it with his left arm - legally.
    By all accounts I agree that there is no place for shoulder charging etc in the game, and that it needs to be penalised etc, but I'm borderline as to whether the right call was made here.

    Say for instance: a Welsh player makes a runaway linebreak, and a South African player chases him down, with the initial momentum of the tackle causing the Welsh player to lose the ball forward. However after the ball is lost forward, but still during the tackle, the South African player holds onto the jersey of the Welsh player which prevents him from regathering the ball. Is the South African player penalised for the jersey pulling and a penalty try given?

    Or, say the Welsh player loses control of the ball in the tackle, and the South African player strikes the Welsh player in the face after the tackle has been completed. What would happen there?

    Maybe instead of giving a penalty try, Walsh should have shown the Welsh player red and given South Africa a penalty? I don't know, but not sure that the precedent set is the right one.

  • i_bleed_green_and_gold
    4:36 AM 24/06/2014

    That is exactly the point. The try would have been scored so defend legally or allow the 5 points with a difficult conversion attempt. But due to the indiscretion the conversion is made easier to deter players from foul play. Williams won't make that mistake again.

  • pipo
    4:19 AM 24/06/2014

    yes!!! I'm not sure when but Irish fullback Kearney did it to an Aussie some time ago. I also remember Shanklin (Welsh) doing it to yet another Aussie years ago even as a try (Wallaby try that is) was being scored. Both instances went unpunished.

    There are plenty more examples, they just don't come to mind right now. I was so glad to see this finally getting penalized, as it should be.

  • future_is_black
    3:11 AM 24/06/2014

    I think the Boks are more qualified to talk about physical tackling than the Welsh are DirtyLittleScrumbag

  • future_is_black
    3:08 AM 24/06/2014

    Lol @ DirtyScumbag...ask any fan on the LOSING team and they will definitely have some issue with the ref's handling of the match haha

  • pipo
    2:12 AM 24/06/2014

    I was watching the game with Spanish commentary and the Argentines noticed that actually the Welsh 7 (don't know his name, it wasn't Tipuric or Warburton) could also have received a yellow when Biggar was given one.

    Anyone that takes an honest look at the video can see it for him/herself. Number 7 ignores the maul and attempts to tackle the ball carrier. Just a couple seconds later Biggar comes in and throws himself to the ground in a very obvious manner.

    All this after the referee told the Welsh to stop bringing the maul down illegally twice if my memory doesn't fail me. I love the current Welsh team, North is awesome, Roberts and Davies make one of the greatest centres pairings, power and guile there, Halfpenny converts almost every kick and is the living embodiment that rugby is a game for all sizes, but this was a clear yellow and penalty try.

  • badge
    1:49 AM 24/06/2014

    Fantastic job dragging an entire team through the mud to console your fears that you might actually have a hotheaded player on your hands with Liam Williams. I'd take a jab to the ribs any day over a sliding elbow to the jaw while looking the other direction.

  • dirtylittlescrumbag
    1:39 AM 24/06/2014

    No you're right, expressing an opinion about rugby on a rugby forum, what was I thinking?

  • badge
    1:36 AM 24/06/2014

    I'm so thankful for that tackle from Williams and so is Steyn, that would've been tough to slot from the corner.

  • 12:38 AM 24/06/2014

    Not a fan of Liam Williams, as soon as I knew it was him that made the tackle I knew it was all over.

    The tackle that was needed to stop Hendricks is something that you see Halfpenny doing on an almost daily basis although Halfpenny has picked up the nasty habit of making try line tackles with his face for some reason.

  • 12:13 AM 24/06/2014

    Watched again. Why didn't he just bloody tackle him! Would have put him into touch easily!

  • 12:10 AM 24/06/2014

    I find biggar, Williams and Phillips all to be very petulant. They will never win favour with the ref with these attitudes. aWJ, Roberts and Jenkins should set them straight

  • 12:07 AM 24/06/2014

    You are getting really boring

  • reality
    12:07 AM 24/06/2014

    DirtyLittleScrumbag, your many, many responses are just too clever and witty for anyone to be able to win an argument against you. Give the rest of us a chance, will you?

  • 12:03 AM 24/06/2014

    Actually neither tackle is really similar. Both were heroic efforts. If Williams merely completed a simple tackle he surely would have knocked cornal that one required inch into touch.

    Really dumb

  • 12:01 AM 24/06/2014

    Becuz he went after Kearney after he shoved Williams for the cheap shot...

    And becuz he's a dick.

  • dirtylittlescrumbag
    11:31 PM 23/06/2014

    I was replying to DrG

  • 11:05 PM 23/06/2014

    What name did I call you ?

  • dirtylittlescrumbag
    10:52 PM 23/06/2014

    Lol so disagreeing with someone is out of order but childish name-calling is fine...maybe you are a child..?

  • dirtylittlescrumbag
    10:48 PM 23/06/2014

    well done

  • dirtylittlescrumbag
    10:34 PM 23/06/2014

    Don't be an idiot, I never said the ref shouldn't have penalised Wales, I was questioning the way it was handled. Is debate about refereeing decisions allowed on these forums?

  • dirtylittlescrumbag
    10:29 PM 23/06/2014

    Not sure you fully understand what I'm saying, the ref could have given the penalty try earlier and got on with the game, the 7 points is more than enough, and then there's always the interpretation issue, was the attacking maul even legal in the first place? Cards are handed out much too easily these days, playing 2 players short at such a crucial time essentially ruins the game. But hey it's just an opinion, you don't have to like it or agree with it, just putting it out there.

  • dirtylittlescrumbag
    10:13 PM 23/06/2014

    Not all tries are scored under the posts though are they? The penalty try at the end of the game is a good example, Cornal Hendricks was clearly going to dive in at the corner, seems reasonable to me to have the resulting conversion taken from the same place. That's what generally happens when a try is scored right..?

  • dirtylittlescrumbag
    10:01 PM 23/06/2014

    Slight over-reaction, take a trip to any high-security prison and you'll encounter a selection of rapists, murderers, paedophiles, hardened criminals among other unsavoury characters, I wouldn't put Mike Phillips in that category, arrogant as he may be.

    Anyway we're talking about Liam Williams.

  • drg
    9:56 PM 23/06/2014

    @Ireland West, he accidentally included an 'r'...

  • 9:55 PM 23/06/2014

    Fair enough - Live up to your username if you must.

  • drg
    9:55 PM 23/06/2014

    ...and you called me facetious...

    dick.

  • dirtylittlescrumbag
    9:51 PM 23/06/2014

    We're a sensitive bunch here aren't we? If I think somebody is wrong or being silly I'll say so, that's what generally happens in forums.

    Ask any Welsh fan or neutral who watched the game and they'll probably have some issue with Mr Walsh's handling of the match.

    'would I be happy to see my son behave as Williams does?' I'd be delighted, you say that like he's killed someone, he conducts himself perfectly well most of the time, just gets a bit over-zealous with his tackling sometimes, no need for hysterial reactions.

  • drg
    9:25 PM 23/06/2014

    ....except Wales got pumped by Ireland in the 6N and lost to England and only got an 8 point win over the Italians....

    They then come to SA and lose the games against them. They lost to Australia last November, they lost to Japan this time last year...

    I mean all in all, I don't deny that they might improve in time for the World cup, but I'll take a risk and say I don't hold out much hope that they'll do as well as they did in the last one...

  • danknapp
    9:18 PM 23/06/2014

    That was indeed a disgusting moment. I don't see the different between this elbow, the one in your video, or a punch.

    Mike Phillips is surely one of the most unpleasant human beings to have ever walked this planet.

  • 9:15 PM 23/06/2014

    Your opinion of Walsh's performance is not a widely shared one ; 'an absolute shocker' sounds 'awfully bitter'.
    The fact that Liam Williams is an outstanding young player is not at issue here, or anywhere else where rugby is discussed. The issue is why William's discipline is so poor, and as other posters have pointed out here, not only in this game.
    If you really believe that such is not the case, ask yourself this ; would you be happy to see your son behave as Williams does ?.
    I would also ask that you refrain from personalising your response to other posters - suggesting that people should 'take their medication' is insulting and childish. I respect your opinion - don't trash other peoples.

  • drg
    9:15 PM 23/06/2014

    Is that actually a question on something you don't understand? Or are you making reference to something you think should change with the laws?

    The reason it's 7 points for free is because the try was inevitable, so what's the point in punishing the defending team by 'rewarding' the attacking team with 5 points, when 5 points was a complete guarantee...

    A penalty try is basically saying "ignore that offending player and what would have happened?" well, you could argue that any team would have done their best to get under the posts, so that's where it's awarded...

  • drg
    9:08 PM 23/06/2014

    @Vladimir

    Don't be silly. Walsh should have looked at the game and thought, "oh dear, poor Wales, they were doing really well and then I've sent off a couple of their players for 10 minutes and now South Africa look like they might be getting back in to the game. I think to ensure the Welsh get the victory they deserved for winning the game for most of the time, so I'll let them get away with everything until the final whistle, I mean I could blow the whistle now and end the game but that is a bit too obvious, I'll just basically not punish Wales for ANYTHING and hopefully the South Africans won't get angry when their hard work is illegally stopped"...

  • leicscarlet
    8:56 PM 23/06/2014

    Your right .... ABs Boks and Oz have that right with less punishment.

  • drg
    8:55 PM 23/06/2014

    "I meant foul play as in injuring an opponent/dangerous play, sometimes for cynical play, remember the ref had already just carded Charteris."

    For crying out loud, you call someone out above and question whether they've been watching rugby long and you come out with a comment like that... If he'd just carded Charteris then surely Wales should of had the brains (they need that sponsor back!) and thought "hey ho, we've got the attention of Walsh, he's not afraid to dish out cards, be on your best behaviour for a little while"...

    A yellow card is not only a punishment to the individual, it's a punishment to the team and a warning to the entire field.

    How many times have you seen a referee give a yellow to one team, then soon after give a yellow to the other team for the EXACT same offence? It is a quite a common occurrence and it's usually accompanied with the words "this is exactly what he did down there and you've just done the same thing".. If you can't use your brains then you need to be wary of cards coming your way...

  • drg
    8:46 PM 23/06/2014

    Considering you feel that a player getting a yellow card and a penalty try being awarded for pulling down a maul is a wrong decision, I'm not entirely convinced you are in any position to question the refereeing ability of Steve Walsh...

  • vladimir
    8:26 PM 23/06/2014

    You mean the Welsh should have the exclusive right to defend illegaly on the line? I am afraid they don't.

  • vladimir
    8:24 PM 23/06/2014

    Of course he had to do it on both situations. Being pinned down a first time does not immune you afterwards.

  • i_bleed_green_and_gold
    5:58 PM 23/06/2014

    Granted, my wording in that opening remark was poorly constructed. I meant more in terms of illegally defending their line from an attacking team. (you got the idea).
    I agree that there should be less penalty tries and less penalties in general for certain aspects of the game. I hate watching scrum penalties. just forces players to try and milk penalties.
    But, there has to be a balance so that players do not get away constant infringements when under pressure and slow down the game illegally. professional sports is about the strategy both in defense or attack. giving away strategic penalties or gifting 3 points is always better than giving away tries.


  • leicscarlet
    4:41 PM 23/06/2014

    I loved the "Lekker" way we opened your line up like a knife through butter..... with the excellent TRIES that we scored... against the referees face saving consolation prizes for the Boks ;o)

  • dirtylittlescrumbag
    4:37 PM 23/06/2014

    Players defending their line in a game of rugby? Who'd have thought that? I hope the authorities come down hard on them for such behaviour, has absolutely no place in the game etc etc.

    In all seriousness, we're actually seeing more and more penalty tries being awarded, personally I'd like to see less. I have this crazy, far-fetched idea that games should be decided by players and not officials....maybe I'm watching the wrong sport for that.

  • dirtylittlescrumbag
    4:14 PM 23/06/2014

    I'm Welsh and I'm very excited by the prospect of seeing him in the Welsh jersey for years to come. As a Scarlets fan I can assure you he has tremendous talent, good pace, and great determination & will to win. It's not right to solely blame him for the defeat, Wales made mistakes to put themselves in that position. Late in the game they were 30-17 up, a great side would have closed that out.

  • dirtylittlescrumbag
    4:02 PM 23/06/2014

    I love some of the hysterical reactions you get from various posters on here. If you think that was a 'horror tackle' you haven't been watching rugby long. It was an illegal tackle which we have to accept are sometimes inevitable in a contact sport such as rugby.

    Take your medication and calm down.

  • reality
    3:55 PM 23/06/2014

    Sorry but, are you joking? What better way to end the season? I think actually winning a match and not getting whipped in the first two tests might be a better way to end it. And you're talking about the next world cup? I don't know if you know something the rest of us don't or if you're just unrealistically optimistic.

  • dirtylittlescrumbag
    3:52 PM 23/06/2014

    You sound awfully bitter, Liam Williams is an outstanding young player, and I'm sorry if this upsets you but you're going to be seeing a lot more of him in the future. You're getting carried away with yourself, he didn't throw a punch at anyone, he just made a desperate, last-ditch tackle without using his arms, he'll learn and come back stronger. Also Steve Walsh...what game were you watching? aside from the penalty try decision at the end (which he got right) he had an absolute shocker.

  • dirtylittlescrumbag
    3:31 PM 23/06/2014

    No need to be facetious, my point was there was no need for the ref to do both in that situation, it had a huge influence on the game. I meant foul play as in injuring an opponent/dangerous play, sometimes for cynical play, remember the ref had already just carded Charteris.

  • dirtylittlescrumbag
    3:18 PM 23/06/2014

    It was a bit naughty but it's rugby not ballet ...like your username btw

  • i_bleed_green_and_gold
    3:12 PM 23/06/2014

    the point of a penalty try is to act as a deterrent to players defending their line. It is a gift 7 points when a certain 5 would have been scored. The same thing with adding the yellow card on top of the penalty try-deterrent.
    so the defending players options are the following:
    1) legally stop the momentum or try.
    2) let the try be scored without infringing and go back to restart trying to get the ball back.
    3) infringe illegally expecting 1 of four outcomes a) ref does nothing-team gets to set their defense for next wave b) you get penalized - attacking team goes for lineout which is better than try c) yellow carded- penalty still better than 5 points and d) penalty try yellow card, worst outcome but lowest probability (depending on refs balls- most do not have it in them to bust out the penalty try)

  • leicscarlet
    3:09 PM 23/06/2014

    The great thing for me was seeing a dominant "young" Welsh pack.... Samson Lee had a great game, he got stuck in and didn't pull any punches.

    This match was a statement of intent..... RWC2015 is not far away and what better way to end this season..... the Boks were visibly shaken.... they really did look shell shocked at the end of that match.

  • drg
    2:47 PM 23/06/2014

    No of course they weren't supposed to let them score, but then bringing down a maul in that manner is illegal and hey, guess what? it is FOUL PLAY and the Welsh chap got rewarded with a yellow.

  • drg
    2:45 PM 23/06/2014

    I somewhat agree and disagree.

    "..but really, people bleat on about 'discipline', the whole time, surely a lot of it comes down to the referee?"

    I can semi agree with this, and be generous in saying, that is true for the first yellow card. (In reality I could say it's only about the referee up until the first 'talking too'!) Then the rest falls on teams indiscipline.

    No doubt you have played a game or two in your life and come across varying degrees of refereeing, it is up to you to adapt to that style of refereeing. If a professional cannot then; in the utmost respect, they don't deserve the shirt.

    Walsh often uses common sense and often lets the game progress without showing cards, perhaps someone upstairs had a word with him.

  • dirtylittlescrumbag
    2:39 PM 23/06/2014

    'idiotic Welshmen'?? They're supposed to just let them score? All they were doing was trying to prevent the try being scored, it's instinctive. Yellow cards should be reserved for foul play, they change the game too much, awarding a penalty try is enough in these situations.

  • dirtylittlescrumbag
    2:22 PM 23/06/2014

    Liam Williams is more deserving of the shirt than you will ever be.

    ..but really, people bleat on about 'discipline', the whole time, surely a lot of it comes down to the referee? It's not as if they were throwing punches or stamping on heads, the interpretation of the referee is always the deciding factor. A good ref officiates with common sense and lets the game flow, Steve Walsh didn't do this yesterday...all 3 yellow cards were harsh & unnecessary too imo.

  • 2:17 PM 23/06/2014

    Sorry but both those yellow cards were earned by the idiotic Welshmen who received them. You point out Biggar's, it could hardly have been more obvious that he was bringing the maul down! Watch it again. He grabs the saffer and then just pulls him to the ground. Thats a penalty anywhere on the park except 5-10m from the line, which it was, and after being pinged for infringements around the maul at least 4, 5 times in the previous few minutes.

  • 2:08 PM 23/06/2014

    One of the most obvious penalty tries I've seen in ages. Was lucky not to get a yellow for an illegal tackle that stopped a try. There was already 3, not like Walsh didn't want to use the yellow card.

  • dirtylittlescrumbag
    2:07 PM 23/06/2014

    It's another an example of officials interfering way too much in the game, he'd already given the opposition a penalty try (free 7 points), then makes them play (another) man short for 10 minutes...no need to do both.

  • dirtylittlescrumbag
    2:01 PM 23/06/2014

    Just a thought on penalty tries, shouldn't the conversion kick be taken from where the try would have been scored? Just running under the posts like that to award it, you're basically giving them 7 points for free, teams should have to earn the extra 2 points imo.

  • sidestepsam
    1:38 PM 23/06/2014

    of course if George North learned how to tackle we might not be having this debate at all.

  • foxtrot
    12:43 PM 23/06/2014

    Thanks for your kind words, much appreciated.

  • foxtrot
    12:42 PM 23/06/2014

    Why? Because he didn't illegally pull down the maul after an official warning and a yellow card for the same offence?

  • reality
    12:42 PM 23/06/2014

    Why do keep calling yourself Reality when there's already someone here with that name? I even have a profile (you can click on my name and it brings you to said profile).

  • stroudos
    11:44 AM 23/06/2014

    Does your username mean that your post is deliberately sarcastic?

  • drg
    10:19 AM 23/06/2014

    Second Welsh try looks like an odd move to start the ball rolling, could have easily got called up for blocking...

    Thought the outcome was thoroughly deserved in some respect. Wales imo, didn't deserve to win due to their indiscipline. 2 penalty try's? Come on...

  • drg
    10:08 AM 23/06/2014

    Up until now, Williams has shown himself to be a dirty fucker! I think it's a fairly deserved title...

    (I will happily change my opinion over time if he changes his attitude)

  • drg
    10:03 AM 23/06/2014

    If it's a penalty right on the line and it stopped a try then it has to be a penalty try, no other call...

  • drg
    10:02 AM 23/06/2014

    It is quite amazing how Wilkinson changed. He has always played extremely well, but in his later years when he started playing in France he actually looked like he was enjoying himself and accompanying that, he looked BETTER than he used to be. I know with experience you become better, but he looked better than experience could make him just by sorting out his headspace.

  • stroudos
    7:49 AM 23/06/2014

    But you don't have to go that far back into the archives for a direct comparison.

    Such a contrast between this nasty cheapshot and the body-on-the-line heroics of the bloke who usually exudes such pride in the Wales 15 shirt:
    http://www.rugbydump.com/2014/03/3636/leigh-halfpenny-injured-making-brave-try-saving-tackle-on-luther-burrell

    I was actually quite critical of Halfpenny for putting himself in such an inveviable-injury position, but the bravery and sheer honesty of the tackle are phenomenal.

  • stroudos
    7:42 AM 23/06/2014

    Wonderful moment

  • stroudos
    7:42 AM 23/06/2014

    Mate, that whole post is awesome, but the money-shot is in these two lines:
    "Big hit and a bit of a ruckus? Hats off Mr Defender, you just lifted your whole team.

    Half arsed hit and a few nasty words? Football stadium is that way --> "

    I can't stand Liam Williams. Every time I've seen him play he seems to be putting in nasty cheap shots. The one that stands out in my memory is that pathetic, unnecessary, late "challenge" (don't know what to call it, there was certainly no attempt at a tackle involved), on Paddy Jackson in the 6 nations earlier this year. Try already scored, absolutely nothing Williams could do about it, but slid in and clattered the bloke while he was in a vulnerable position. I really wanted Rob Kearney to lamp him...
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-XGWHmIVeo

    I got a swift reprimand from Mr Dump the last time I described a player as a "dirty f***er", so I won't do that again here, even if the epithet is 100% applicable.

  • stroudos
    7:26 AM 23/06/2014

    He is awesome. On a scale of 1 to 10, he's got to be well into double figures. First time I saw him I thought bloody hell he's good, but the last few times I've seen him he's been off the scale.

  • future_is_black
    3:07 AM 23/06/2014

    How good is Willie Le Roux!! I don't think I've seen anyone run like he does since the legendary Christian Cullen was carving up defences in the sacred Black jersey. That is a huge call, but I think it is warranted. AB's will have to be in top gear to contain him come the Rugby Championship. Nice win Boks!

  • sidestepsam
    2:19 AM 23/06/2014

    Liam Williams is a bit of a pup. His biggest attribute is his ability to turn defence into attack but he also possesses a darker side. Notice how when he is bundled into touch or tackles another player into touch, that opponent immediately becomes enraged afterwards, suggesting he has an antagonistic nature.

  • eddie-g
    11:43 PM 22/06/2014

    First of all, fair play to Wales. Hammered last Saturday, but absolutely on their game yesterday.

    Second, a reminder to us bok supporters, that we need our best players back if we are to be consistently strong.

    And thirdly, that final penalty try. That tackle gets worse every time you look at it. I don't know if Williams has past history, but that was a disgusting no-arms charge into an opponents head. Stuart Hogg was rightly red carded and banned when he did something similar against Wales, I don't see how Williams gets off with less.

    Good on Gatland not making any excuses, but it was a horror tackle, the kind that should be dealt with severely.

  • reality
    10:58 PM 22/06/2014

    I wonder if Williams is actually all there. I mean, he seems to do this stupid, petulant stuff all the time and he cost his team the match with this ridiculous act. Normally backs are the calm, collected players because they know they can't get away with stuff like that against people bigger than them, but he does it all the time. If I was Welsh I'd want to see him as far as possible in future from a Welsh jersey.

    Great decision by Walsh though. If he hadn't given that penalty try it would have been a travesty. I'm not at all a fan of his but he got it spot on.

  • welshosprey
    10:57 PM 22/06/2014

    Every single time. I felt we deserved this one though. More comedy gold from North in defence again.
    I thought Gethin Jenkins was incredible, body on the line all game and practically covered us at 7. The Williams tackle was stupid and clearly a penalty but a penalty try? Tough call although I thought Walsh reffed pretty well.

  • 10:52 PM 22/06/2014

    Very entertaining game, mostly because of the number of errors, the Boks comeback & the finale. Overall Wales were the superior team, with several players really upping their game from last week's mauling. A real pity that their efforts were wasted by the action of one player. Liam Williams would not have been on this tour except for the injury to Leigh 1/2p. His petulance & known lack of discipline was overlooked by Gatty, who probably now regrets selecting him ahead of James Hook at 15. I'm not a huge fan of Steve Walsh but I thought he was on top form here & didn't back away from any call. Some consideration has be be given as to whether Williams should be selected again - his love of the 'cheap shot' is becoming more than just an embarrassment.

  • vladimir
    10:05 PM 22/06/2014

    What a brilliant game and performance from the boks.
    As for Williams, he should get cited.