'I saw it' - All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster's response following Kieran Read's off-the-ball coat hanger tackle
All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster has lead the official response from the team after Kieran Read was questioned for an off-the-ball high shot on Springboks flanker Pieter-Steph Du Toit.
South African journalist Brenden Nel caused a stir on Twitter when he posted video footage of the incident and questioned why World Rugby didn’t cite Read from the lineout incident in the opening game at Yokohama.
“Wonder what the All Blacks say about this?,” tweets Nel.
“Probably just bury their heads in the sand. It’s their All Blacks after all.”
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Early in the second half, Springbok flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit attempts to chase halfback Aaron Smith after a lineout. Sensing danger, Read tries to impedes du Toit path but ends up taking him around the neck with a coat hanger tackle.
The incident wasn’t blindly ignored by the All Blacks’ coach, who had a message for everyone after an opening weekend surrounded by referring controversy.
“I saw it,” Foster explained to media on Monday.
“I think the game needs to be reassured we’re at probably the most scrutinised World Cup we’ve ever had.
“There are a lot of cameras on that people are looking at and citing commissioners and television match officials. I think we’ve got to have a bit of faith in that programme rather than reacting to social media.”
Read escaped any post-match citing with Wallabies wing Reece Hodge the only player to be cited following his dangerous ‘torpedo’ tackle on Fijian flanker Peceli Yato which left him concussed and unable to return to the field.
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Hodge’s citing left coach Michael Cheika furious at the Fiji camp, who he says ‘went behind his back’ to refer the incident after the match.
“I’d prefer that they come up to me and get upset with me if they’re really upset about it, not to just talk to me in that nice, friendly chitty-chat way and then go behind your back and put in a referral,” Cheika told media on Monday.
Fiji players immediately asked for the television match official to review the tackle. The TMO concurred with the referee and his assistant that the tackle did not even warrant a penalty at the time.
Fiji management subsequently referred it to the match citing official, who deemed it a dangerous tackle.
Ireland’s prop Tadghe Furlong has also come under the spotlight on social media for potential foul play on Hamish Watson which left the Scotland flanker with a serious injury that has ruled him out for the rest of the World Cup. Clearing Watson out at the ruck late in the first half, Furlong drives his shoulder into the Scot after diving off his feet.
Furlong escaped on-field punishment at the time and has not been cited following the match.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen following win over South Africa:
Comments on RugbyPass
Sly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
9 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
9 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
13 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
9 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
9 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
13 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
13 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
9 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
13 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
13 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
7 Go to comments