Two players cited following Tri-Nations match

[jargan83]

there was me thinking that Robbie Deans meant that the Aussies would have to put their bodies on the line etc, not use their bodies as punching bags
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[NTT]

Punching, squirrel gripping, slightly late tackles, pushing someones face into the ground, stepping on the legs of players who are blocking the ball in a ruck etc, etc are all the little things you do (if you don't get caught) to get the advantage over your opponent.
Blatant headbutting is not.
My point is that there are so many ways to do these things out of the sight of the refs it aint funny. Ask any old school rugby player how many times they were punched, squirrel gripped etc or punched, squirrel gripped etc an opponent in a game (without it being seen) and i can guarantee they'll laugh and say 'so many times, i cant remember'.
Yeah, Burgers style is abrasive but he gets away with it so he'll keep doing it. All the wallabies guys have played against the Bokkes enough times to know what to expect physically and they prepare accordingly to deal with it.
I just don't see the point of whinging about it, its part of the game, all teams at all levels do it.

[NTT]

Robbie Deans saying 'you cant hope to prosper if you don't meet the physicality of a test match' is Deans' way of saying, 'there you go boys, do whatever it takes and don't take no shit' ...

[NTT]

physicality does not necessarily mean punching and head butting
it means the force of the tackles (legal) and running etc. there are no rules that say 'oh yes if you are allowed to you may punch'

there was me thinking that Robbie Deans meant that the Aussies would have to put their bodies on the line etc, not use their bodies as punching bags
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this is my point, one or two handbag swings by Burger and its time to call in the firing squad.
the punches Burger threw were nothing, they would've had trouble breaking the skin on a rice pudding.

[jargan83]

i have no doubts that those tactics are employed.

I didnt see how someone can defend a player who gets caught doing them so often employing them was my main arguement. "schaulk is awsome" isnt an arguement that i will swallow when he has a reputation of being a thug.

I have no doubt that the only suspension to come out of the game will be CJ's incident, which i agree there is no place in the game for that rubbish
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[jono]

So lets go headbutt the opposite team. As its obviously always been part of the game...
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[jargan83]

the "because it's always happened" arguement does seem like a bit of a cop out
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[NTT]

So lets go headbutt the opposite team. As its obviously always been part of the game...
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the "because it's always happened" arguement does seem like a bit of a cop out
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a cop out? more like perspective.
so according to you guys any indiscretion by any player deserves what? criminal charges? get real.
jargs, you replied to my post twice than backtracked to some argument you were having with lara93, so i still dont get what your on about and jono your assumption that 'its always happened' missed the point of what i was saying.
guys seriously, some ruck cleanouts hurt more than both the headbutt and punching combined, should we suspend players for this too?

[laura]

I don't think its about suspending players. Of course there is going to be rough play, but recognising that blatant punching and stomping/kicking isn't part of the game and isn't necessary should be recognised.
Maybe what they are calling for is just for the ref to acknowledge that and disadvantage the offending team by giving a free kick to the opposition or something.

[robyn <3]

has there been any word about what happened today?
(the hearing is today.. right?)

[Moses]

don't know how Bray missed this, I reckon worse than the one that Epi Tiaone got 8 weeks for.. which is a shame as CJ will probably get replaced by a better prop

[travelling_gerry]

and then said to keep his shoulder down

[travelling_gerry]

has there been any word about what happened today?
(the hearing is today.. right?)

This evening 5pm WST.

[NTT]

like ive said, the headbutt should be suspended (no more than one week). the rest is not worth worrying about.
as i remember it smith was penalised for killing the ball then burger tried to get the ball for a quick tap, then the ref warned burger about trying to get the ball.
punches get thrown. remember the france game when harinordiquy landed multiple punches on horwill? do you want me to believe burgers open handed punches were of the same level of foul play?
i just dont understand the outrage over such minor incidents.

[travelling_gerry]

I'll take 6 weeks as the fav for the head butting and Rocky let off.