Sat 13 Dec 2014 | 11:10
USA 7's player Perry Baker kicks pitch invader after thuggish tackle

27
Comments

There was an ugly incident at the South African 7's earlier, as an idiot took to the field during the South Africa vs USA game and tackled a player. The madness didn't end there as Perry Baker got up, took a second to think about it, then kicked the guy. 

It wasn't clear to see exactly how the tackle took place and the ferocity of it, but Baker will surely find himself in a bit of trouble as you simply cannot lash out like that, especially once the situation was under control and the guy was laying on the floor.

The referee, probably as shocked as everyone else, told everyone to calm down and the incident was quickly swept under the rug. The cameras panned out and no replays were shown. It was all a bit bizarre, and certainly not a good advert for the tournament or indeed, the sport.

Fans on social media had varying reactions, as some backed Baker's response, while others were more outraged at the fact that security let it happen. Former referee Jonathan Kaplan tweeted:

In Baker's defence, we can't really judge his actions based on what we think we saw, as the initial unprovoked attack, which is what it was, happened slightly off camera. When the referee stopped play and went over to Baker, it did sound like he said something about being hit.

We'll no doubt find out more soon, but below you can just about see what happened, as Baker dished out some street justice before the culprit was ushered off the field, and security finally caught up with him.

Baker took to twitter himself after the match apologising for his actions.

If you were there and managed to catch the whole thing on camera, please let us know.

27 Comments

  • 10stonenumber10
    9:21 PM 17/12/2014

    I didn't say Barton was a good bloke, I agree that he is a knob, but he's grown up a bit since the cigar stubbing days. Now though, whether laughing at or with him, he is one of the few genuine characters left in sport. What are 'heroes' without 'villains'?

  • eddie-g
    4:29 PM 17/12/2014

    Joey Barton is also a convicted violent felon.

    I'm fully onboard with the idea that he's a reforming/reformed character, but his past leaves quite a lot of doubt about his likeability, imo.

    Anyway, Barton or Armitage, the principle about professionals not retaliating in the face of fan provocation remains.

  • eddie-g
    2:28 PM 17/12/2014

    Agree completely. Be a huge shame if rugby felt the need to go with heavy policing.

  • danknapp
    9:24 AM 17/12/2014

    Nope. Rugby is not heavily policed and should remain that way. One or two individuals cannot be allowed to ruin it for everyone else. Look at football - there are loads of stewards but occasionally fans get onto the pitch and assault a player.

    The only person we can blame is the pitch invader.

  • 10stonenumber10
    8:40 AM 17/12/2014

    D-bag Delon is turning into Rugby's Joey Barton... except Joey is a much more likeable and funny character.

  • eddie-g
    3:40 PM 16/12/2014

    Afraid I don't agree - take Delon Armitage, in hot water for cussing a fan who was abusing him. Same principle applies, as understandable as his reaction was, he shouldn't do it.

    I would also draw a distinction between retaliation and defending yourself. The latter is fine, the former is not - and kicking the tackler was an example of retaliation. Anyway, I hope the IRB will settle for warning all players that they can't do something like this. Be a real shame if they felt they had to make an example of a bloke who I think we all sympathise with.

  • heavyhooker
    1:45 AM 16/12/2014

    Sorry Eddie-g. Nice high and mighty "players are above that". In the heat of the game some ahole tackles anyone the temper will fly. All the couch potato psychologists on this sight should really look inwards and realize that these players are no better than the average bloke who would take a swing at anyone who did this to them. Next time I say stop the sob and not just kick him.
    If the World Rugby go after him they are way out of line.

  • eddie-g
    4:08 PM 15/12/2014

    This is all factually true.

    The invader here, what a complete dickhead. I'd have had a modicum of respect if the dude had have been naked, but fully clothed? Total loser. Anyone know his name? Can someone dropkick his nuts into next year?

    I would add re. the USA player. Mate, you can't retaliate. Among other things, the IRB now have a reason to go after you. It sucks, but the moral of the story is that players can't sink to the level of the moron in the stands.

  • 1:31 PM 15/12/2014

    Brilliant! This video needs a bit of humour. Come on people smile it's almost christmas!
    When I read the headline "player kicks pitch invader" I thought... That's out of order, but I agree, and think that the invader could do some damage by tackling someone who isn't expecting it. In which case this is (respecting Stroudos's categories) a number 4.

  • danknapp
    1:09 PM 15/12/2014

    I know. His teammates were well offside too.

  • guy
    9:32 AM 15/12/2014

    Your categorization ultimately convinced me (and made me chuckle), although the retaliating violence should preferably be executed by hand or any part of the upper body. Using your feet makes it a bit soccerish.

  • stroudos
    9:06 AM 15/12/2014

    For me, the rules are very simple - pitch invaders can be categorised into four groups. Here are those groups and the corresponding actions for dealing with them:

    1. Sexy woman, naked - should be actively encouraged by everyone involved in the game. Long, close-up, slow-motion video footage to be captured and posted immediately to youtube / upload request sent to rugbydump.

    2. Ugly/fat woman or a bloke, naked - funny. Leave them alone.

    (Caveats for groups 1 and 2 - stay away from the players and ref.)

    3. Anyone who's not officially involved in the game going onto the pitch with clothes on - Twat. Have the guts to strip off or don't do it. These people should be escorted off the pitch by security, with optional roughing up, then hit with a large fine and some kind of community service.

    4. Any pitch invader, (naked or not), interfering with the game itself, making any kind of contact or even looking like they might make contact with any player or official - all bets are off. You have crossed the line and deserve everything that happens to you. The player/official that's been attacked should attract no criticism whatsoever, with no limit on the level of violence in their retaliation.

    In this case, I would love to have seen Baker do a Duncan McRae on this prick - he should have left the field a battered and bruised shadow of his former self, with a couple of permanent scars to remind himself of that day he acted like an utter bellend.

  • drg
    9:17 PM 14/12/2014

    Sort of with you regarding streakers, or 'pitch invaders' when they run on during a break in play or something... but yes, attacking an official/player, or even fiddling with them one way or another should reserve an ass whooping!

  • shroomzilla
    7:53 PM 14/12/2014

    Although we are supposed to be gentlemen, none of us are perfect. In the rare instance, we are all capable of doing something we regret later. In regards to pitch invaders; no harm, no foul. The lovely lass or the jovial bloke running naked as a dare might be distracting, yet, humorous. However, to jump the rail and attack an official or even to take a poke in the form of a tackle at a player is far too over the line and at that point any pitch invader gets whatever he gets and should have no complaint about the outcome. It was not a brutal kick and there was obviously no injury from it; so learn from it and move on.

  • drg
    4:52 PM 14/12/2014

    We see players reacting all the time when they have been taken out off the ball, or 'attacked'.. of course, there is rarely a kick involved, however they do react, this is in some ways not much different...

    He probably paused to work out who this halfwit was:

    "Is he an opposition sub? Is it a family member? or is it just some nutcase who potentially cocked up a counter attack AND put our team in a jeopardising position if something goes wrong?"

    The other thing is pain... did it sort of hurt? Looked awkward, what if Baker had ended up getting a bit hurt (landing awkwardly). I mean we saw JDV with a horrific injury recently, I know he sort of got caught up with bodies etc, but awkward falls can twist things. Admittedly it was probably a nothing 'hit' but being completely unaware/unprepared makes it a lot worse.

  • danknapp
    11:12 AM 14/12/2014

    Baker didn't set himself particularly well. Wilkinson would have done it better.

  • drg
    9:37 AM 14/12/2014

    ...what happened? Did he collide with the posts as he ran away laughing or did you land on him?

  • browner
    1:31 AM 14/12/2014

    WHATEVER DISCOURAGES INVADERS.,

    Monica Seles, Piet van Zyl. ... enough said.

  • 10stonenumber10
    11:45 PM 13/12/2014

    The guy got up and ran away immediately, if a bloke Baker's size puts a boot on you, you know about it. Then again, i'd say they were right, he was off his nut. "Stockbroker Salt" + 8 pints, and you'd just about be on the right level to tackle an international player on TV, take a kicking from him, the security, the police, and stay numb until after the public apology. Drugs and idiocy have no place in our sport, this isn't football.

    Like I said, you never know... If he is crazy enough to try and get onto the field and attempt to do harm to a player, he might be crazy enough to carry a knife or worse to help him do it. Never take a chance with a nutter.

    I suppose morally I agree with the reaction, but 'professionally' within the sporting and media context, I don't. Nobody complained when McCaw decked that other pitch invader, or the SA flanker digging in a few as well.

  • danknapp
    11:03 PM 13/12/2014

    Baker shouldn't have reacted like that but his reaction was completely understandable. I wouldn't like to see him fined or banned for it. If you tackle a pumped up athlete in the middle of an intense game you can't expect them to just switch from aggression on the field to self-restraint in the blink of an eye.

    Not nice to see, but the guy got what he deserved.

  • 10stonenumber10
    10:32 PM 13/12/2014

    You never know what the other person is going to do. In the heat of the moment, especially in rugby you are on that edge anyway, doesn't take much to fly the red flag and go nuts on someone trying to take you out of the game, especially from the blindside, and even especially-er if they are some crazed 'fan'.

    As I am sure every keyboard warrior will agree, I am surprised he left it at the one kick. Maybe he realised the guy was going to take it no further after the first hoof, good thing he had the brains about him to stop and check before unleashing any more 'street justice'. He could have gone complete psycho and kicked him in the head, but like a good controlled hit in rugby... he went for the ribs.

  • heavyhooker
    10:11 PM 13/12/2014

    It seems this is getting out of hand. I've never been a fan of pitch invader - big breasted women or drunken sods. I say that anyone who invades the pitch gets the full brutal retaliation the game of rugby can deliver. You invade then it should automatically become 14 / 30 on 1 with all violence rugby can bring to bear. Maybe people would think twice.
    I pay good money to see a game and this is not funny, amusing or entertaining. These players work hard and long to get where they are and these bums disrupt it. Tackling the players takes this to a whole new level. Good on ya Perry, next time slam tackle the asshat.

  • benny
    9:25 PM 13/12/2014

    Not a good look to kick a guy on the ground, especially as it appears fairly close to the head. But we've been through this before, if someone comes down to my place of work and tackles me there is a chance some unpredictable, uncharacteristic violence will ensue. If you have the balls to get your kit off and streak, especially if you're a hot girl, people might cheer for you. Fully clothed, expect a different reaction

  • mbesio2
    8:57 PM 13/12/2014

    There are two things to remember here:
    #1. None of us are Perry Baker - we weren't tackled during a major rugby event on live TV in front of a huge crowd by someone who wasn't a participant on the field but a paid spectator in the seats. Once you cross that line from being a fan to being a "pitch invader" it is open season and any punishment you receive is deserved. And shame on this site for even suggesting Baker be in the wrong as "took a second to think about it". He was most likely in shock. I would have done the same thing and so would all of you in every situation on earth.

    #2 Perry Baker maybe new to rugby but should never restrain himself from defending himself. I have seen a bunch of videos on this site with players defending themselves from fans who jump on the pitch. Shame on the security at this event for allowing this to even happen. That should be the focus of this story - not what Baker did. This goes out to all the legs of this event. Security seems to be lacking at most. Last years USA 7's had someone jump on the field and he ran for about 2 minutes eluded all security and made it back into the stands. What a joke. #Protectourplayers!!!

  • welshosprey
    4:50 PM 13/12/2014

    Deserved a kick

  • friedrich
    4:25 PM 13/12/2014

    Wasn't that like in the face? Guys we re supposed to be gentlemen. So the only solution for stupid fan behaviour like this is the public execution room. Painless and effective. Not barbaric and mindless like naughty Perry did. The public execution room with lethal injection, okay? or... public castration, to be decided with number of retweets.

  • jimmy23
    4:20 PM 13/12/2014

    Let's be honest if that were not on a rugby field the player would be done for assault for kicking the person on the floor like that, even if he hadn't instigated it. While I don't defend or condone what the 'fan' did in any way, the player should have restrained himself. Perhaps he should have just grappled him till security came along and dealt with him?