Tuesday, November 09, 2010
Dylan Hartley's forearm drop on Richie McCaw
Its a bit strange that the one was cited and not the other, as Hartleys shot was clearly away from the ball and looked fairly malicious. How he escaped punishment, only the citing commission knows, although they apparently did take note of the incident.
It was hinted that the retaliation after the forearm drop, mainly from Brad Thorn after the whistle, might be the reason for it being cancelled out.
All Black assistant coach Wayne Smith has said that they are frustrated with the Hartley incident not being picked up. "Yeah, I was disappointed. From what I saw, it warranted it. I don't have any comment on that, other than as I was looking at it at the time I thought 'that will be interesting'," he commented.
Mealamu was cited for breaching Law 10.4 (a) for striking an opponent with the first or arm, including the elbow, shoulder, head or knees. It could be argued that what Hartley did should fit into that category.
The ref missed the actual shot, and although McCaw told him what happened, he did well to calm the situation down at the time. For his sake alone, you would have thought that the citing procedure would take care of the rest.
If you're into sports betting , England host Australia this weekend while New Zealand head up to Murrayfield to play Scotland.
Keven Mealamu's headbutt on Lewis Moody at Twickenham
New Zealand win despite spirited England comeback
Posted at 12:19 pm | 103 comments
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Viewing 103 comments
paper_tiger November 09, 2010 1:15 pm

Not as brutal as the Mealamu incident - but violent conduct nevertheless.
zacaria November 09, 2010 1:18 pm

chris November 09, 2010 1:36 pm

citing if you ask me.
Mike November 09, 2010 1:37 pm

But it's that thing again where the players get frustrated because they feel the refs aren't doing their jobs.
Anonymous November 09, 2010 1:40 pm

(u-p)rick November 09, 2010 1:42 pm

My initial thoughts were not 'it was not as bad as the headbutt'
A few reasons for this, perhaps there were not so many angles to make it look bad...
However, it was after the whistle...
...i dont know they are both cheap shots tbh, however i do believe head on head contact is a little worse...
DEFINATE CITING THOUGH! cannot believe that one was missed...
(u-p)rick November 09, 2010 1:45 pm

Not really, there wasnt much in it, more of a shove (albeit with a shoulder, no arms :D ) but there were no punches thrown. All the referee needed to do would be yellow card hartley (at least) and then tell everyone to calm down, as it was he missed hartleys little cheap shot so he told everyone to calm down...
I'd say the ref made the right choice on this video (apart from missing hartley that is)
(u-p)rick November 09, 2010 1:47 pm

Typical dirty play from the English.
November 09, 2010 2:42 PM
Anonymous said...
English always play dirty...
November 09, 2010 2:43 PM'
Yes and the south african, pacific island, australian, NZ, british isles and the rest of the worlds players are all on the list to recieve their sainthoods are they?
Pedro Flerury November 09, 2010 1:48 pm

Bradders November 09, 2010 1:48 pm

Did you miss the clip below??
Both incidents were bad but I think a headbutt is worse than this nomatter who did it.
Bradders November 09, 2010 1:49 pm

Some aweful decisions on the day!
RD you should get that clip up.
Bradders November 09, 2010 1:50 pm

BigBucks November 09, 2010 1:55 pm

rodofle November 09, 2010 1:55 pm

Anonymous November 09, 2010 2:04 pm

Think he should be pulled up for this, wasn't as bad as Mealamu, but that shouldn't matter.
Think the ref was rubbish from both sides view.
shoulder hits, slowing the game down, bad calls on line outs, off the ball hits.
think the RFU needs to step up and sort out the standard of refs so the game can be played the way we want to see, fast, flowing and fair.
Anonymous November 09, 2010 2:06 pm

Alexander November 09, 2010 2:07 pm

Anonymous November 09, 2010 2:07 pm

One of the reasons Ritchie is such a good player is his ability to bend the rules. Look at the amount of times he was in from the side contesting for the ball in that game, ive counted eight.
He is an outstanding player, but getting under others skin is inevitable if they feel he is cheating, which he clearly does.
Rugby is a rough sport, id say it is more than fair what Dylan did and I would expect nothing less as an openside if I did that.
It is a risk he takes and when he pulls it off (which 9/10 times it does) it makes him the best openside out there because of his ability to slow possesion and turnover the ball and making it look legal.
Bradders November 09, 2010 2:11 pm

Mike November 09, 2010 2:11 pm

As an England fan, yes Hartley should have been cited and got 2 weeks.
Granty November 09, 2010 2:14 pm

Anonymous November 09, 2010 2:14 pm

Australians are mostly clean because they are mostly too soft. Not enough mongrel. Bring back Owen Finegan!!!
Laz November 09, 2010 2:16 pm

Grow up. This is rugby, every team does something dirty at one stage or another.
Anonymous November 09, 2010 2:30 pm

Thorn is just lucky Lawes didn't get his hands on him. Step back old chap..there's a new enforcer in town.
IHateScrumPenalties November 09, 2010 2:36 pm

Yes, Mealamu contact is with the head, but Hartley's (not far off a WWF elbow drop on the face) was after the whistle...
Both should have been cited.
Bart November 09, 2010 2:37 pm

Anonymous November 09, 2010 2:43 pm

It's a cheap and potentially dangerous shot.
He should be cited.
Anonymous November 09, 2010 2:49 pm

I take it we are ignoring Richies foul on Ben youngs as he cleaned him out running from an offside position stopping Youngs from exploiting the gap at the base of the break down.
The Kiwi's won because they
deserved to, they are an awesome side - but it annoys me that everybody trys to suggest that us English are dirty players - usually because we are physically stronger at tight 5 play. Anybody that knows rugby will tell you Richie M skirts with the rules more than anybody! But who can say he isn't a truely awesome payer?
Man up guys its rugby not knitting! In 2003 we where the best side in the world in 2010 The kiwi's and the Aussies are.
Adam
edbok November 09, 2010 2:58 pm

But to anyone here moaning about the inconsistency of the citing process, really, were you expecting anything less?
Has always been a joke process, nothing has really changed.
NiWiTa November 09, 2010 3:03 pm

Personally I hate McGaw and if I played at this level would probably be sent off for landing one on him whenever I could. However this is because he is an excellent player that can get away with infringements like no other so I am of course jealous!
Anonymous November 09, 2010 3:04 pm

I'm ashamed that he represents my country.
BeingNeutralDoesntMe November 09, 2010 3:06 pm

"And it's coming from a 100% neutral."
Well done on being 100% neutral - your medal is in the post LMFAO
Anonymous November 09, 2010 3:18 pm

Anonymous November 09, 2010 3:29 pm

Well done to mccaw for keeping his cool, a true captain and warrior!!!
November 09, 2010 3:07 PM
couldnt agree more, hes been targeted twice by cheap shots, in the game with the English and with the Aussies by Cooper and always kept his cool
Phil November 09, 2010 3:31 pm

Anonymous November 09, 2010 4:00 pm

why is it embaressing for England? no more so than any other nation thats fouls, at least in England we dont shout our mouths of about how amazing we are then sulk around like little bitchs when is doesn't go our way. Rugby is being ruined by arm chair pundits who try and bring football esq nonsense to the game. Im English and love rugby, an awesome try is an awesome try whether its Bok AB, welsh or french...
I obviously want the english to win, but at the end of the day, we are watching not playing how can we take credit or criticism for what goes on on the paddock?
Love the game stop being pussies
Phil November 09, 2010 4:04 pm

Von November 09, 2010 4:33 pm

Mind you, I don't really see how Kaino was coming in at the side either, so maybe I've got some vision problems...
I remember at the time feelin frustrated by the ref, wanting to have a long chat with the captains and then another chat with Hartley and Thorn, because I thought England had momentum and as there was a penalty coming I wanted to see them keep the attack going, (wishful thinking! I suppose they'd have taken the kick at goal anyway, but you never know).
My opinion having seen this again - should have been a yellow for Hartley, but no citing. In the absence of that yellow card he should at least be going for a chat with the commissioner, even if no suspension comes out of it.
And a wonderful shove by Big Brad! Best way to deal with the cheap-shot git.
jay November 09, 2010 4:38 pm

So if I recap the thing :
1. Come in as a sub and act recklessly
2. the IRb who saw everything in the first half, must have felt asleep during the 2nd so no citing
3. MJ thinks : wow he got away w/ that... awesome
4. Make him start as a hooker
Waz next ?
5. getting away with murder ?
gotta love the IRB for such a display of justice and fairness...
Anonymous November 09, 2010 4:43 pm

crazy horse November 09, 2010 5:02 pm

mikeb November 09, 2010 5:07 pm

Von November 09, 2010 5:19 pm

It could be argued that there was nothing wrong with what Hartley did because he was entering a ruck from the back, staying on his feet, and trying to drive an opposition player off the ball.
Reality as evidenced in this video clip:
Only in some bizarre parallel universe could it possibly be argued that there was nothing wrong with what Hartley did, as he quite clearly did NOT enter the ruck from the back; most definitely did NOT stay on his feet, in fact he threw himself to the ground WWF style; and showed NO interest whatsoever in driving the opposition player off the ball, but in fact was simply aiming a cowardly cheap shot at a prone player's head.
Von November 09, 2010 5:19 pm

goodNumber10 November 09, 2010 5:33 pm

David November 09, 2010 6:08 pm

Anonymous November 09, 2010 6:24 pm

Anonymous November 09, 2010 6:36 pm

(u-p)rick November 09, 2010 7:01 pm

....i think people should wake up.....because someone was cheating it doesnt justify any sort of actions like we've seen....
Anonymous November 09, 2010 7:26 pm

semperfimamba November 09, 2010 7:43 pm

jono November 09, 2010 8:04 pm

McCaw yes did well not to react but seeing how he is such an experienced player, the captain and a true professional you would expect that. and in all honesty he will expect that at some point in pretty much any game someone will have a pop at him. he is class at bending the rules and getting away with things and really it's fair enough, get away with what you can. so when things get missed by the ref and spotted by the opposition they are bound to get frustrated and want to vernt a bit of frustration. however more experienced players will know to do this when it can't be seen and be subtle about it. the best way to do it is legally and just crunch the guy next chance you get.
Jimbo November 09, 2010 8:35 pm

Infact the whole Kiwi team throughout the game kept appealing to the ref. Stop it or us Pomms are gonna loose our whinging status!!!
p.s. will people stop comparing the two inccidents they're different! :) COME ON BRAVEHEART!
Anonymous November 09, 2010 9:15 pm

Sucker MC's November 09, 2010 9:26 pm

Anonymous November 09, 2010 9:53 pm

Anonymous November 09, 2010 10:31 pm

PineTree November 09, 2010 10:50 pm

Anonymous November 09, 2010 11:19 pm

come on people... November 09, 2010 11:59 pm

I know. Reading these boards makes me a bit sad.
Anonymous November 10, 2010 12:56 am

The guy should have been cited, and as an AB supporter am still glad that Mealamu got cited. I like Mealamu, but I do not like dirty play in Rugby. Don't get me wrong, I like rough physical rugby, but you can have that without dirty play.
In regards to England, I wouldn't say that they are a dirty team. Like most national teams, they just have a couple of guys who are that way inclined.
Jono November 10, 2010 2:34 am

He let the breakdown turn into an absolute farce and this is what happens.
You get a scrappy game with heaps of cheapshots.
Something about French refs, basically most of them are just shit.
Jeremy November 10, 2010 3:00 am

I gotta say though, he's got some balls pulling that stunt within striking distance of Big Brad Thorn.
Tom November 10, 2010 3:16 am

Either way it was ilegal and it's a joke that he got away scot free.
Mupue November 10, 2010 3:51 am

Taniwha November 10, 2010 3:59 am

Jealous they never made the cut I guess...
frankie says relax November 10, 2010 6:28 am

League is a great sport. Unfortunately, I never get to see it. Living where I do, I'm lucky enough that I get to see Union games as often as I do.
Anonymous November 10, 2010 8:14 am

N'put'sdaae November 10, 2010 8:26 am

Nick November 10, 2010 9:06 am

Bradders November 10, 2010 9:11 am

He is but from a standing position on either side - he was on the ground with his hands on the ball - you can't do that.
Anonymous November 10, 2010 9:39 am

Nothing illegal with what with what mccaw did, him and kaino had legally broken up the maul (not sure where the ref got the entering from the side) and mccaw had stripped the ball before any ruck had been formed whilst clearly on his feet, the english player while lying on his back then rips it out of mccaws hands.
mat November 10, 2010 12:29 pm

the citing officer however has this footage and therefore has no excuse for not banning hartley for this cheap shot on mccaws face.
morgan November 10, 2010 1:35 pm

Not McCaw's finest hour
Chris November 10, 2010 3:25 pm

Biased kiwis think just because Mealamu carried out a dangerous dog act anyone else who does a minor infringement against them should face the same action.
This was a nothing incident. Harden up boys.
King Arthur November 10, 2010 4:59 pm

None of you girls on this website would last a minute in lawnbowls let alone rugby.
Idiots!!
Anonymous November 10, 2010 6:03 pm

Quite a good representation of how they play.
Anonymous November 10, 2010 7:19 pm

typical everyone accuses the all blacks of getting special treatment from the irb, this case clearly proves otherwise, infact this sort of thing has happened during the last 3 tours with all blacks getting bans while the home nations get nothing.
Anonymous November 10, 2010 8:03 pm

Jimbo November 10, 2010 8:10 pm

NickUK November 10, 2010 9:00 pm

Ben November 10, 2010 9:35 pm

Lawes tried and Thorn stumbled forward a bit. Then Nonu came in and he dropped nuts. Pussy is the word youre looking for not enforcer (you actually have to stand your ground).
Anonymous November 11, 2010 1:24 am

Anonymous November 11, 2010 5:24 am

The other problem not highlighted enough is the outright cheating of both number 7s. Moody diving on the ball and playing it on the ground and then McCaw trying to rip the ball away even though he's already landed on his ass.
If the referee's didn't let so much of this go, and the rugby culture encourage number 7s to be cheating bastards, none of this retaliation stuff would be necessary.
These incidents are players trying to punish infractions that largely go unnoticed. Players like Moody and McCaw pull off dozens of these a game. It's just the frustration coming out. Address the root cause and maybe we'll get somewhere.
Gustav November 11, 2010 5:26 am

"Lawes tried and Thorn stumbled forward a bit. Then Nonu came in and he dropped nuts. Pussy is the word youre looking for not enforcer (you actually have to stand your ground)."
That's because Nonu looks like Predator. Just like Tana Umaga used to also.
Anonymous November 11, 2010 5:37 am

Take off the blinders people.
Von November 11, 2010 12:12 pm

2:14 McCaw playing the ball on the floor! Not whilst he's falling over, whilst he's on the floor.
Bradders said...
Von said McCaw is entitled to contest for the ball....
He is but from a standing position on either side - he was on the ground with his hands on the ball - you can't do that.
Well I've watched this again and I say I'm definitely right.
Jimbo, you're watching it out of context. The replay at 2:14doesn't show Off-side Rich's starting position. Watch it again from about 15 secs in: you'll see that Easter has peeled off the maul and is starting a run on his own. McCaw, quick to react as ever, gets Easter to ground and tries to rip the ball. There's no ruck at this point so he's entitled to do so. England #17 (Wilson isn't it?) comes in and knocks McCaw back - this is where the 2:14 replay starts, with McCaw falling backwards. He thinks he's done enough to rip the ball and tries to keep hold of it. Nothing wrong with that. You could even say that Easter should have released it as he's gone to ground.
The ref wasn't really watching any of this though, (clearly), because he'd already blown up for Kaino apparently coming into the ruck from the side - a decision which I really don't understand, by the way.
Anyway, the point is McCaw, as far as I can see, in this case was not doing anything wrong.
Anonymous November 11, 2010 2:53 pm

What a bunch of nerds. When you make a pro rugby team, post up your videos.
None of you girls on this website would last a minute in lawnbowls let alone rugby.
Idiots!!
Well said!
Anonymous November 12, 2010 9:43 am

Stuart November 13, 2010 8:43 am

Anonymous November 18, 2010 10:31 pm

Twickenham crowd is always a boorish bunch of middle class w#nkers.
Just like they booed the TMO decision on Gears try even though the screens in the ground didnt show the replay of the try and grouding for that try.
Hartley is douchebag and Lawes, please! any of you calling Lawes the enforcer are a joke, hes a newbie nobody and will disappear as quickly as he arrived.
Andy Ellis wouldnt be scare of Lawes, neither is Mustafa the green grocer.
Anonymous November 18, 2010 10:34 pm

Look at the pansy little push he gives McCaw in the back once the fight breaks out.
WEAKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK















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