Claims of underhand tactics levelled at Connacht in wake of Ellis Park win
Connacht coach Andy Friend was the picture of innocence, claiming in his post-match media briefing that every injury stoppage was legitimate.
However, the Lions’ coaching staff and players were frustrated with what they felt were ‘clear and obvious’ delaying tactics to minimise the impact of altitude.
Connacht became only the second Northern Hemisphere team to win in South Africa in the United Rugby Championship this season, after a late penalty by flyhalf Jack Carty sealed a hard-earned 33-30 win over the Lions at Ellis Park.
The Lions, the only South African team to taste defeat in Round 16, were made to pay for a slow start and unnecessary errors – allowing Connacht to record their third victory over South African opposition in the URC this season.
Their other two victories were both at The Sportsground in Galway – against the Stormers (19-17) and the Bulls (34-7).
The Lions were not amused by the Irish province’s tactics at Ellis Park at the weekend – with a multitude of injury stoppages before set pieces and lengthy conferences before every line-out turning the game in a drawn-out stop-start affair.
Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen felt there was a clear theme in the Irish team’s tactics, slowing down play at every set piece.
“They got away with it,” Van Rooyen told a post-match media debrief.
“I felt there were a couple of times when the game could have continued,” he said, adding: “Obviously if it is a front row [forward] the scrum can’t continue.
“However, if it is a general forward – on their ball or our ball – the game should probably continue.”
He admitted they got “quite excited” in the coaching box about the obvious delaying tactics, because the stop-start nature of the game suited the Irish side at the 1,750-metre (5742 feet) altitude of Ellis Park.
“We wanted to build pressure and maintain that pressure,” the Lions coach said, adding that his own team’s error count also allowed the visitors additional “rest”.
Connacht coach Andy Friend was adamant the ‘injuries’ were all genuine and not part of some elaborate scheme to slow the game down.
“We had two HIAs [head injuries],” he said, adding that one player returned to the playing field and another failed his sideline head injury assessment.
“One of our loosehead props copped a knock to his eye in the warm-up and his eye closed over.
“We had our battles out there to keep 15 fit players on the park and it was more coming our of our forwards.”
He described it as part of the game.
“It is a physical game, as you know,” Friend told @rugby365com. “Sometimes you pick up injuries and we had a few in this game.”
Star flank Cian Prendergast admitted altitude was a factor, but praised his teammates for “staying in the fight” and having the “last burst to win the game”.
The Lions coach said it is something they will address in their ‘review meeting’, while they will again touch on the subject during their ‘preview meeting’ with match officials on a Thursday.
Van Rooyen said New Zealand and Australian teams used similar tactics during Super Rugby – manipulating the ‘time off’ period around set-pieces.
“It is a clear tactic coming here [to Ellis Park],” he said, adding: “I can’t go against a medical doctor, but when you see two or three [players] falling down simultaneously you will always ask questions.
“If they get away with it and match officials allow it, then kudos to them.
“In our review process, we will look at that and get feedback and share the feedback with the team – learn from it and be better prepared.”
Lions skipper Burger Odendaal admitted the delaying tactics “frustrated” him, while the referee’s constant warnings to both teams never resulted in any action.
“They got under our skins as well,” Odendaal said, adding: “Our disciplinary record in the competition has been good, but in this match, our discipline let us down.
“However, I felt there were no consequences for them [their tactics] and one or two calls that may have gone our way.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Some dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
1 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
7 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
43 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
7 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
7 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
7 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
7 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
7 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to comments