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Liam Messam's 'unlucky' penalty against the Boks that shows how much the game has changed
The 2014 Springboks victory over the All Blacks ended a two-year winning streak for the men in black as flyhalf Pat Lambie stepped up to slot a heroic long-range game-winning penalty.
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The All Blacks held a one point lead in the dying stages when Schalk Burger was hit high by a swinging arm tackle by Messam as he fell to the ground.
However, in what would be a certain and unquestionable red card under today’s rules, there was plenty of conjecture over whether the infringement by Liam Messam even warranted a penalty.
The contact to the head was clear with Messam leading with the shoulder and failing to get a decent wrap on the Springbok flanker.
The match officials missed the incident and were even reluctant to yellow card the All Black flanker on review of the tackle.
The decision by Wayne Barnes to award a penalty to the Springboks was labelled ‘very harsh’ by current USA Rugby Sevens head coach Mike Friday while fans said it ‘wasn’t Messam’s fault’ as Burger fell.
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Reporter Ben Coles of The Telegraph called the penalty ‘contentious’ while former England international Mike Catt said ‘slow mo made it worse’ and that it did not deserve a yellow.
The referees only looked at the incident once replays were shown on the big screen, igniting a response from the Ellis Park crowd.
Reliving the game in an interview with SuperSport, the Springboks hero Lambie recalled the period of play leading to his famous kick.
“The play actually continued quite far up thereafter, we were actually up on the All Blacks’ 22, and play stopped,” he said.
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“And they showed a replay of that hit on the big screen which actually caught the ref’s eye, and then the ref went back to that incident.”
Come on that is not a penalty Burger is falling … Very harsh on @LiamMessam
— Mike Friday (@MikeFriday09) October 4, 2014
The tackle that earned the Springboks the final penalty attempt. Thoughts? http://t.co/52wwID9B9c #savnz
— Springboks (@Springboks) October 4, 2014
Think Wayne Barnes got the #Messam tackle right. No intent but still a penalty. You slow anything down and it looks a lot worse #SAvNZ
— Brad (@SharpB13) October 4, 2014
@LiamMessam Hansen said, and I agree, the penalty wasn't your fault…He was falling. You played incredibly. #RSAvNZL #TRC2014
— Jennie (@glasshalfull23) October 4, 2014
Also, yes SA won, but they nearly threw it away in the second half. Messam penalty contentious and NZ fightback so typical.
— Ben Coles (@bencoles_) October 4, 2014
@MattP555 I know – I like general- helps when fishing! But on a serious note, did not think it was a yellow. Slo mo made it look far worse
— Will Carling (@willcarling) October 4, 2014
I didn't have a problem with the Messam penalty but replays on big screen when all officials missed it? There's home advantage for you.
— BOP Mafia (@bopmafia) October 4, 2014
TMO was going to let that penalty go cause Messam was falling. Could be fatal #RSAvNZL
— Keep Dark (@stayinthedark) October 4, 2014
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw described the contact as “bad luck” in his post-match interview, while Hansen also absolved Messam of any blame and called the incident ‘unlucky’.
“Liam was pretty unlucky but I’ve got no problem with the penalty, because he made contact with the head. But it’s certainly not Liam’s problem either,” Hansen said.
Comments on RugbyPass
Interesting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
12 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
1 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
15 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to commentsI think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
12 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
12 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
15 Go to commentsSly 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.
12 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.
2 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
2 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
8 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
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