Monday, June 15, 2009
Andy Powell huge hit on Duane Vermeulen
While hes only had two appearances on tour, this past weekend he found glimpses of form, despite it being revealed that hes been playing through the pain barrier with a broken bone in his hand.
"I have a bit of a fracture there and it is a bit painful but these things happen in professional sport," said Powell, who needs to wear a protective bandage to play.
"I have been able to get through it with painkillers. I have had to let it heal and I stayed a bit out of contact last week. Training is quite physical but that is part of the tour."
Physical was the name of the game at Newlands in the 71th minute as he put in this monstrous hit on opposition loose forward Duane Vermeulen. The ref and assistant ref viewed it as illegal though, so a penalty was awarded.
"I have looked back at the video and I feel I put a full arm around him so it was a full contact," he added.
"But these referees make their decisions and their word goes."
Vermeulen is a huge unit himself, who doesnt often get knocked about, so this collision was immense. Come Test time, Powell may be up against another monster of a player in Sprinbok number eight Pierre Spies.
When asked how hell deal with him, the straight talking Powell has no hesitation in answering with a big smile on his face.
"That is an easy answer. Smash him mate."
Time: 02:03
Posted at 11:41 am | 88 comments
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Viewing 88 comments
Chris June 15, 2009 11:26 am

The man is a f?cking moron. Why doesn't he dive infront of a train and put us out of our misery?
How can he watch that back and still say it was illegal, when it clearly wasn't. The man is a soft c*ck!
When did you need to wrap with both arms for it to be considered legal? It's not a bloody hugging contest!
Ben Kirby June 15, 2009 11:29 am

It sounds like he wants to get rid of Powell.
Anonymous June 15, 2009 11:34 am

And I agree about Stuart Barnes, he's the biggest idiot ever, he goes on with some of the most ridiculous rubbish and speaks as though his opinion is gospel, when really his opinion is garbage.
Anonymous June 15, 2009 11:39 am

Stuart Barnes is an absolute bellend. I do not know of a single rugby fan who enjoys listening to him, why do sky still employ him?
Kearney for tests June 15, 2009 11:50 am

Anonymous June 15, 2009 11:56 am

Jacques June 15, 2009 12:00 pm

Flooz June 15, 2009 12:01 pm

"looks like Gavin Henson has been teaching him how to tackle."
lol exactly what i thought..
I think this tackle was illegal.
It wasn't malicious, but he just forgot to wrap his arms.
The referee took the good decision
Hackney Griffin June 15, 2009 12:02 pm

Stuart Barnes, as has been pointed out above, did have the luxury of the replay, he's just a pratt. It amazes me how some of the commentators have such a terrible base of knowledge on a game they played at the highest level.
p.s. It'll take more than that for Powell to get himself a Test jersey
Anonymous June 15, 2009 12:03 pm

Powell has to do a lot to get a test spot, because Geech seem to have a team in mind already even though powell is a solid player at 8. Heaslip did let the kick off bounce last week though, rule *1 for any player esp. no 8.
Anonymous June 15, 2009 12:06 pm

this one, they just seem to run into each other,
Anonymous June 15, 2009 12:10 pm

This tackle illegal? You're having a f--king laugh, right?
He went for the wrap. The force of the collision sent the guy flying before he had a chance.
I can't believe how cowardly and soft some rugby players are. You girls should be playing tag.
You aren't man enough to play professional rugby. Go play tag ladies.
Anonymous June 15, 2009 12:14 pm

Jacques June 15, 2009 12:16 pm

Anonymous June 15, 2009 12:21 pm

..............
This tackle is well within the laws of Union. That's the point.
And anyone worth his salt with a head on his shoulders knows that ARMS RULE in Union is a global joke and shouldn't exist.
It serves no purpose. League proves shoulder charges are in no way dangerous.
The wrap rule only exists in Union to protect the upperclass softies.
I love exporting hits on you rich small boys.
Anonymous June 15, 2009 12:24 pm

Anonymous June 15, 2009 12:26 pm

Care to name them mate? Or are you a xenophobic who thinks England is the majority of professional rugby?
Fool lol.
Jacques June 15, 2009 12:28 pm

And anyone worth his salt with a head on his shoulders knows that ARMS RULE in Union is a global joke and shouldn't exist."
So which is it then? Is it within the laws, or is the law a joke? Can't be both, and you seem to have confused yourself.
That's what you get for being a thick poor boy.
Anonymous June 15, 2009 12:28 pm

I'm an Aussie and I think it's fine. No penalty IMO. Soft.
Leeners June 15, 2009 12:29 pm

it was definitely a shoulder charge,and so a penalty.
if the rules were that you are allowed to hit with just the shoulderthen no1 would compain
Anonymous June 15, 2009 12:31 pm

Anonymous June 15, 2009 12:31 pm

Don't know about that. Maybe in England.
Shouldn't have been a penalty, soft.
The wrapping rule is dumb, dumb as hell.
Anyone who plays knows that you lead with the point of your shoulder.
You can't put on a good tackle unless you smash the guy with your shoulder.
Anonymous June 15, 2009 12:33 pm

That's what you get for being a thick poor boy."
Have you always been mentally slow, or is it something you've worked on?
I was making 2 seperate points. One, that within current Union laws. And two, the wrapping rule is stupid anyway.
When did the slow-farm get internet access?
Anonymous June 15, 2009 12:35 pm

FALSE. Please support your claim with evidence. A few token players does not support anything you're saying. The majority of rugby players are from ordinary backgrounds.
Only a select few, are upperclass. The majority of those few are from England.
Anonymous June 15, 2009 12:39 pm

Anonymous June 15, 2009 12:42 pm

However, many of those players go to those schools on scholarships specifically to play rugby, and come from middle class or lower class backgrounds.
There isn't the same class division in Australia as there is in the UK anyway.
So yeah, maybe in England most players are rich boys, but definately not everywhere.
RD June 15, 2009 12:50 pm

Please bear that in mind when going off on your rants.
We encourage debate, not disorder.
Thanks.
con bons June 15, 2009 12:52 pm

Jon June 15, 2009 12:57 pm

It's the same principle, you run up, drive in with your shoulder and smash the other bloke. It's not rocket science, there's technique, but putting on a good shoulder charge takes alot of technique as well.
It's not any more dangerous, it just looks alot more spectacular.
Really, alot of tackles that are deemed legal could be termed as shoulder charges and vice versa. It's a dumb rule, IMO.
Lucus June 15, 2009 1:04 pm

Ted June 15, 2009 1:05 pm

Middle class is what you mean, very few countries have an upper class.
Pedantry aside, the point made by the anonymous guy that these laws are there to protect 'posh' people is so inane I don't know where to begin. Rugby was invented at 'Rugby' school, a private school entirely filled with posh people. Virtually all of the rules of rugby were created by similarly 'posh' people. If you have a point to make about class you are following the wrong game mate.
Anyway, in my opinion this tackle is very like the fateful one that Tim Rodber made in the England/Wales gradslam game (in 99?) that gave away the penalty that Gibbs then scored his try from. The motion to wrap was made but the player bounced off. A shoulder charge as far as I'm concerned means crossing your arms across you chest and running into someone with your shoulder.
Connachtfan June 15, 2009 1:08 pm

Andy Powell is Techno Viking!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpZBOH6cLQY&feature=fvw
View Video
Anonymous June 15, 2009 1:14 pm

themull June 15, 2009 1:15 pm

It makess no difference whether he tried to wrap his arms or not the fact of the matter is he didnt wrap them.....If I didnt mean to knock on a pass but I do any way that still means its an opposition scrum....Same rule applies in tackling...
I would ratehr these kinds of htis were allowed but they're not so right decision made now move on..
Anonymous June 15, 2009 1:36 pm

If a law is in place there has to be a reason for it. We all know that it is illegal to take a player out in the air because he could land on his neck and break it. It is dangerous.
Quite why hits like this are illegal in union is beyond me. As long as the hit is below the shoulders who cares?
Anonymous June 15, 2009 1:42 pm

Anonymous June 15, 2009 1:43 pm

Problem here: the touchjudje was on the other side, so he couldnt see the wrapping arm.
In general I think that this rule makes sence. Why? This is no league, shoulder charges are not allowed - and thats good! Hard sport but safety first!
(same with high tackles btw...)
Anonymous June 15, 2009 1:44 pm

It's been legal in League for decades without any problems.
I've played plenty of league, gotten shoulder charged, and it was fine. Alot of the time it's the defender who ends up on his arse anyway.
Anonymous June 15, 2009 1:50 pm

Funny you should say that because the rule is supposed to protect the ball carrier from injury.
However, I am a club rugby referee and whenever someone has been injured from a shoulder charge it has been the player delivering the hit....not the ball carrier!
Anonymous June 15, 2009 2:04 pm

Alot of the time it is the defender who ends up looking the fool.
And I've never seen a serious injury from a shoulder charge. I've seen blokes get winded, maybe a few busted ribs or knocked out cold for a bit.
Nothing that you don't see from normal tackling anyway.
Richard June 15, 2009 2:06 pm

I thought the hit was great. If I got hit like that I would be the first to get up and tell the guy it was a good hit mate.
Much as i doubt he will play great comment on spies. Comments and plays like this vastly boost the North's pathetic reputation as compared to empty talk after almost never winning against the south.
Anonymous June 15, 2009 2:48 pm

They ruin the game with there stupid and random quotes, and it reallypisses me off when they get the wrong names. THERE ARE FAR BETTER COMMENTATORS OUT THERE
!!!!
Anonymous June 15, 2009 2:51 pm

Anonymous June 15, 2009 2:53 pm

Kearney for tests June 15, 2009 3:00 pm

Anonymous June 15, 2009 3:05 pm

ryebye June 15, 2009 4:05 pm

jerry collins has been doing this for years,_______________________
he's been doing it all his career
Anonymous June 15, 2009 4:13 pm

Besides, what are you supposed to do when the guy bounces back 4 feet?
I watched with the Super sports commentary, who agreed it was harsh.
Sure this sort of things take place, and it's neither a tackle or a sould charge. It's called a collision
Anonymous June 15, 2009 4:39 pm

Anonymous June 15, 2009 4:57 pm

Anonymous June 15, 2009 5:01 pm

dr June 15, 2009 5:47 pm

Dont see much wrong with the tackle. Think the ref over reacted due to the huge impact and the crowds reaction.
Anonymous June 15, 2009 5:51 pm

Interesting information regarding why the Bulls aren't playing the Lions:
The Bulls are a company and thats why they decided the Confederations Cup was more important than this and why the team isnt facing the Lions.
The Confed cup is a third rate football tournament, and they chose that over a rugby tour that happens once every 12 years.
The day that rugby died.
Calon Lan June 15, 2009 6:03 pm

You usually find with illegal and/or dangerous tackles that the players on one or both teams will react to them in some way but quite rightly, everybody just ignored this and carried on doing the job they're paid very well to do.
Anonymous June 15, 2009 6:57 pm

Anonymous June 15, 2009 7:04 pm

Cheech June 15, 2009 7:26 pm

I can see why the ref gave the penalty. Like its been said a few times, we have the luxury of replays.
What would have happened if the fella hadn't have bounced back and carried on forward? My thoughts are that Andy Powell would have wrapped him up and both would have hit the floor. No penalty.
From what I can tell Powell was hardly moving. It was like the fella ran into a brick wall. Didn't have achance to wrap his arms round. Surely a shoulder charge would involve the shoulder. The guy ran into his chest.
It must be said, the way some people are going on about this tackle is a bit OTT. Even the players on the pitch didn't seem to have an issue with it.
Lets get barnes off June 15, 2009 8:24 pm

Anonymous June 15, 2009 8:29 pm

Kearney for tests June 15, 2009 9:07 pm

Random June 15, 2009 9:07 pm

Kyle June 15, 2009 9:25 pm

ball without trying to grasp that player.
Penalty: Penalty Kick
Good call, not high, therefor just illegal, not foul play or especially dangerous.
Madflyhalf June 15, 2009 9:54 pm

wooosh!! O_o
He tousles him!!
fallo, non ci piove...
ma l'ha spettinato!! :D :D
BAM BAM, Powell!!
Anonymous June 15, 2009 11:36 pm

Have you played much? You always hit with the shoulder and you can give someone a concussion whether you wrap or not, it's no more likely with a shoulder charge. I've played league and union and it's and getting shoulder charged is really not that bad. Just like a normal hit.
Anonymous June 15, 2009 11:52 pm

Also ppl generally tend to ignore/write off the opinions of other blatantly biased ppl.
-Dune
No.7 June 15, 2009 11:57 pm

still....nice to see the "impact" of powell on the field
anonymous no6 June 16, 2009 12:14 am

Penalty probably fair though as he kind of failed to wrap arms around but then the impact was so high and massive from both players.
Love it!
Mart June 16, 2009 12:56 am

MY GRIPE is every time I watch one of these videos or footage of rugby with a british commentator and a slightly marginal tackle is put on the commentators whinge about the malice involved and how illegal the hit was. Grow a dick you homo's. Rugby is about contact, if that was any other commentary they would be commending powell. And raising they're voices with the excitment it produced.
Anonymous June 16, 2009 3:31 am

Powell just hit the guy so hard he couldn't wrap.
P.s. Barnes is awful
jamestheconvict June 16, 2009 6:01 am

where - must have missed it
ArranR June 16, 2009 6:39 am

^^^ No.7 has the best view on this hit, he is totally right and i agree 100% with him.
Cheech June 16, 2009 9:32 am

Anonymous June 16, 2009 9:36 am

I guess when your dads hitting your mom every night, you start to blank out all hits.
Anonymous June 16, 2009 9:58 am

if duane vermeulen had dropped the shoulder and bulldozed over powell which is more dangerous as powells head would of been smashed by his shoulder, then that would of been fair a legal hit....
but is that not still a shoulder charge??? thought they were illegal??
Anonymous June 16, 2009 11:22 am

Anonymous June 16, 2009 1:43 pm

"He's superman!"
"He can leap over skyscrapers."
Spies is obvioulsy a rare athlete.
However, he is not a proven consistent player at test level (like Burger, matfield, or Botha for example). He hasn't done a thing at test level.
Let's see hwo he does in a tight, physical test against the Lions. As the All Blacks found out v. France ....old style tests are a far cry from 67-36 super 14 matches. I very much doubt he is going to be sprinting 70 metres for tries v. the Lions.
Anonymous June 16, 2009 2:27 pm

Anonymous June 16, 2009 3:02 pm

Is there not even 1 ex-player with better commentating skills. I could do a better job!
Anonymous June 16, 2009 4:11 pm

Anonymous June 16, 2009 8:27 pm

-Dune
Gaz June 16, 2009 9:35 pm

Not really as an accidental knock on is scrum whereas a deliberate knock on is a penalty
He gets hold of the guys shirt with his left hand and the fact that he's broken a bone in his right probably made it quite hard to get hold with that 1. The force of the impact then knocks the other guy backwards and causes Powell's left hand to loose it's grip!
JimboSimpson June 17, 2009 8:48 am
















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