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'Lame penalty': Fans erupt over refereeing calls as tensions ride high between All Blacks and Pumas
A week after the red card controversy of Bledisloe IV, the officiating of an All Blacks test is again in the spotlight with referee Angus Gardner criticised on social media for his stringent ruling of New Zealand’s Tri-Nations test against Argentina.
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In a shock first half that has seen the Pumas take a 16-3 lead into half-time, Gardner has been the subject of plenty of attention on Twitter following some officiating calls that many social media users appear to disagree with.
An early boil over of tension from both sides in the first few minutes saw Gardner dish out some stern words to both sets of captains in a bid to reduce the niggle.
However, that eventually became a constant theme throughout the opening stanza, with Gardner forced to issue a formal warning to Sam Cane and his side as the likes of Shannon Frizell ceded to Argentina’s confrontational style of play by engaging in scuffles.
Dane Coles followed in Frizell’s footsteps towards the end of the half, giving away a needless penalty for a slap in the face of a Pumas player, which led to Gardner overturning a penalty that was originally awarded to the All Blacks.
Many questioned that call was warranted, but the criticism went up a notch when Gardner handed Argentina a penalty for what he regarded to be a no-arms tackle by Jordie Barrett on fullback Santiago Carreras as he made a clearing kick.
Given Barrett was attempting a charge down, the right wing had little time to pull out, leading him to collide with Carreras after missing the ball.
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Unlike last week, no cards were dished out as a result, but Twitter users were sure to make their opinions heard online.
Yeah that’s not a Penalty, it’s a head clash #NZLvARG
— Kieran L ?? (@kieran_shaker) November 14, 2020
Why do we always have to have Angus Gardiner as the Ref, he’s an Aussie and is a real pain for the All Blacks.#NZLvARG
— ??? ? (@ejvprx) November 14, 2020
Jeezus Angus #NZLvARG
— Mebeija (@KirstyLee82) November 14, 2020
Oh to say that was a lame penalty, Flamin heck! It's Rugby Angus! ????@AllBlacks #NZLvARG
— Capt Yank&Bank? ?? (@KiwiPilotBloke) November 14, 2020
Absolute shite from Gardner. #NZLvARG
— Cleetus Van Damme (@MillarAllan) November 14, 2020
Gardner is cooked. That has never once ever been a penalty #NZLvARG
— inflammable means flammable? (@DanSloan) November 14, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
3 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
2 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
3 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
3 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
3 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
2 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
4 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
3 Go to commentsBeaches? In Cardiff? Where?
1 Go to commentsHe is right , the Crusaders will be a threat. Scott Barrett, ( particularly), Fergus Burke , Codie Taylor, ( from sabbatical) etc due back soon for the Crusaders. There are others like Zach Gallagher too. People can right the Crusaders off, Top 8 , here we come !!
1 Go to commentsWe will always struggle for money to match the other sides but the least the WRU can do is invest properly in Welsh rugby. Too much has been squandered on vanity projects like the hotel and roof walk amongst others which will never see a massive return. Hanging the 4 pro sides out to dry over the last decade is now coming back to bite the WRU financially as well as on the pitch. You reap what you sow.
1 Go to commentsWhat do you get if you cross a doctor with a fish? A plastic sturgeon
14 Go to commentsWhat happened to feleti Kaitu’u? Hasnt played in a while right?
1 Go to commentsGregor I just can’t agree with you. You are trying to find something that just isn’t there. Jordie Barrett has signed until 2028. By the end of that he would have spent probably 11-12 years on Super Rugby and you say he can’t possibly have one season playing somewhere else. It is absurd. What about this scenario, the NZR play hard ball and he decides to leave and play overseas. How would that affect the competition. There seems to be an agenda by certain journalists to push certain agendas and don’t like it when it’s not to their liking. I fully support the NZR on this. Gregor needs to get a life.
3 Go to commentsHope he stays as believe he can do a great job.
1 Go to comments