posted Jul 3, 2009

Burgher was lucky to have escaped with a yellow and then a relatively short ban. And a few players escaped dirty and/or reckless play in the match without any form of censure. Perhaps part of the problem is there is so much emphasis on procedure in citings rather than the substance of the act. Why should a player escape just because the one field officials or a citing commissioner missed a particular incident when the evidence is incontrovertible. PdV's comments reinforce the perception that dirty or foul play is often condoned by team management, providing you don't get caught.

Eye gouging is not new to Lions tours of South Africa. Western Province players levelled a similar allegation against one of the Lions in the 1997 tour. It would be interesting to revisit what the Lions management response to the allegation was at the time.

As for punching being a minor offence, perhaps one of the worst incidents to go unpunished was Ben Tune's punch which left Corne Krige with a detached cornea.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Jul 3, 2009

Perhaps rugby in the NH should do the same bu judging the no of incidents recently. You may want to check your stats before making comments like that

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Jul 3, 2009

Gouging is assault, simple as that. If Burger walked up to someone in the street and did what he did to Luke, he'd spend time behind bars.
I'm not one who suggests that the police should run onto the rugby field every time there's a nasty foul. I'm just putting in context what he did.
Rugby shouldn't stand for it. Burger - and indeed my countryman Alan Quinlan - should be told the game can do without them. And it can.
We have a sufficient number of tough, clean players - BOD, Roberts, Shaw - it's a long list. We don't need the dirty ones. The game would be better off without them.
What a pity Burger and his irresponsible boss de Villiers had to spoil what was, despite the Lions' defeat, a magnificent tour.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Jul 3, 2009

So hard to say sorry?

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Jul 3, 2009

Rick S, I believe you are wrong about the Corry case, there may be more to it than your quick summary.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Jul 3, 2009

Yes it was pretty deliberate gouging. He should have got a red and he should be banned for at least 12 weeks.

But "If Burger walked up to someone in the street and did what he did to Luke, he'd spend time behind bars."

Yes but if he tackled him he would be done for assault as well. You can't use normal behaviour as a guide for rugby laws.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Jul 3, 2009

PaddyRug

"We have a sufficient number of tough, clean players - BOD"

Well if Henson's book is to believed, BOD gouged Henson....

...only saying

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Jul 4, 2009

I dont believe that someone would actually goudge someones eye in a real game. it is complete assault and should face a banning of anywhere from a year to six months

add comment | complain about this comment