Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Huge collision between Francis Fainifo & Lelia Masaga
With less than ten minutes to go, and a twenty point difference on the scoreboard, you'd think that the commitment would start to lack as the teams play out the final minutes of a game.
But on the weekend in the Super 14 we saw tremendous commitment from young Brumbies winger Francis Fainifo under the high ball. Chiefs flyer Lelia Masaga chased hard but mistimed his run unfortunately, and ended up taking Fainifo out which caused him to flip through the air and land horrifically. Masaga also got a knee in the face for his troubles.
Luckily, both players walked away unscathed from the big collision, and Masaga was penalised for taking the man out in the air, which was technically a fair call, albeit harsh considering he also got a fair pounding.
Fainifo got up incredibly high to compete for the ball so late in the game, which was really impressive. The one problem with that though is - what goes up, must come down.
Posted at 11:14 pm | 21 comments
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Posted in See it to Believe it
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Viewing 21 comments
mo14k April 09, 2008 11:11 pm
I remember seeing this, I was in agony for both men!! Ouch!! Great commitment for both men I must say!! All respect for them there.[A point to say:I love how when Masaga is out on the floor, it's actually team players from the opposing side that are playing him in a First Aid Recovery Position&making sure he's breathing, even though he took out one of there team mates... That's passion and respect in the sport Rugby for ya!!]
No.7 April 09, 2008 11:23 pm
Hit the nail on the head there mo14kI think alot of people miss the point sometimes when they start off ranting "F****** chief T***" etc (not saying they will here, but from past videos who knows....) i think when it gets to a point like this i think its great when players turn the game off and actually look out for fellow players....the same happened when nonu was knocked out cold going for a tackle and the oppo players were there sorting him out!looked bloody painful lol. I think the ref had a tough choice there, i think tbh he didnt mean to take him out, but he did so penalty is prob a good choice, definately glad there is no card, you can Masaga swing his arms as he is about to jump...then the collison...lol! thanks RD
Stevus April 10, 2008 12:12 am
Have to agree with first two comments, Brumbies number 16 deserves respect for checking on Masaga and making sure he's ok.
Cheyanqu April 10, 2008 12:43 am
"checking on Masaga and making sure he's ok"Is that what the league guys do when they stand over a guy that just got hit?No, they're talking smack, like gridiron players....That's the difference between the 15-man sport and the other codes..
nico April 10, 2008 3:01 am
Yep. Have to agree with all of you guys. It's great to see this kind of respect for other fellow players on the pitch.Reminds me a game some years ago where I got cut in half by a flying no 7 who "misjudged" the fact that I had passed the ball a few seconds before.... Anyway, it's actually the physio from the other team who rushed by me. Same thing again another time when some opposition players came and helped when I teared some knee ligaments. Everybody must have stories like that and that's why we love the odd-shaped ball!Again, agreed with the fair penalty. Can't complain.
kvt April 10, 2008 4:14 am
ouch!! good to see Saia Faingaa checking up on Masagahate it when nfl players go off ranting after taking someone out
Oggle April 10, 2008 6:57 am
it really doesn't look like it was on purpose, so yeah, the penalty is a bit harsh, but what else would you give?
levi.smith April 10, 2008 8:17 am
all that can be said is that it is great sportsmanship from the Brumbies players to check and see if Masaga is ok!also as you can see that he realises that he is not going 2 get the ball and tries to pull out of it however its just unfortunate that he couldn't stop fast enough.KVT is rite in the fact that it good to see him making sure the other player is ok!ist stupid what NFL players do trying 2 show off after making a big hit. "Yeh good hit now shut up and get playing again!"
Peej April 10, 2008 9:34 am
I thought Masaga looked as though he was trying his best to tilt his body and move out the way, I don't think he made any real effort to make a challenge. Great to see we all appreciate the sportsmanship, it's what makes our game the fantastic sport it is.
Anonymous April 10, 2008 11:14 am
Would you get the same level of sportsmanship in football (soccer)....!!And would a soccer player get up and play again....no he would be out for 6 weeks!!
rancid April 10, 2008 1:13 pm
Nice! I was just about to upload a near identical incident from an NRL game.Billy Slater went up for the ball and similar happened. Except Billy Slater destroyed the other player with his ARSE!The biggest hit i've ever seen. Slater went about 5 yards forward after the clash!
Carts7 April 10, 2008 1:49 pm
Awesome to see concern and respect from both sides for both players. Anyone remember big Jerry Collins helping Colin Charvis after clattering him a few years ago Just goes to show rugby is the still a game for thugs played by gentlemen and football (soccer) is still a game for gentlemen played by thugs.
DAN April 10, 2008 2:58 pm
i totally agree with nearly every comment on this page were the oppo helps out other team mates. the thing i love about rugby is for 80 mins you canfight each other for the ball, smack each other about a bit but come full time back in the club house your the best of mates enjoying a pint together, how many other sports offer that?????
Sharky April 10, 2008 3:51 pm
Carts7, I think you're meaning Tana Umaga, not Collins. Collins put the hit in, but Umaga yanked Charvis' tongue out to save him. He received an award for it too. Great stuff. Would love to see that footage if anyone has it.
No.7 April 10, 2008 4:50 pm
"Just goes to show rugby is the still a game for thugs played by gentlemen and football (soccer) is still a game for gentlemen played by thugs."Football is a game for losers played by socially, mentally, and physically handicapped single celled creatures, with less brains than a halfwit!
gary April 10, 2008 7:06 pm
its been said all ready but great sportsmanship there a really great thing to see, funny how if the players had come out ok a massive fight would probably have kicked off.
Sharky April 10, 2008 7:53 pm
haha Gary, you're probably right there actually.
Hamish Macdonald April 10, 2008 9:05 pm
Shouldn't have been a penalty - I think the tackler was timing his run for where the ball was going to come down. Because the other guy jumped so high, he was further up the pitch than expected.Anyway, even if it was deliberate, you don't let them off just because the offender gets hurt as well. I'd have given a scrum instead.
Carts7 April 11, 2008 8:08 am
Sharky mate, your absolutely right, my bad. Hohum no harm done. Either way Charvis got whooped and then saved by and All Black, shit can you imagine coming round from being smashed to find Umaga and Collins giving you first aid or mouth to mouth, you'd rather be out cold methinks.
Anonymous April 11, 2008 6:04 pm
Ditto all the comments above. Its what makes it 'THE' great game.
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