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Australian Gold see yellow, then red, then the All Blacks

Posted on July 31, 2010
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Australia 28-49 New Zealand

Australia 28 (14)

Tries: Mitchell, Ashley-Cooper, Elsom Cons: Giteau (2) Pens: Giteau (3)

New Zealand 49 (32)

Tries: Carter, Muliaina (2), McCaw, Jane, Rokocoko, Flynn Cons: Carter (4) Pens: Carter (2)

New Zealand crushed Australia earlier today in Melbourne, despite a spirited fight back, thanks to ill-discipline by a number of players but most notably Drew Mitchell. The Australian was sent off for slapping the ball away while the Conrad Smith (New Zealand) was attempting a quick lineout.

The referee has warned both captains about slowing down quick play from a restart but it appeared that Australia failed to heed his warning. Yellow cards and sin bins seem to be the flavour of the tri-nations tournament so far with South Africa the main contributors to the tally. I’m not sure why the officials are hell bent on reporting every little tackle (or so it appears) but maybe they get paid per sin bin given with extra bucks for placing a player on report!

Don’t get me wrong Bakkies Botha totally deserved his 9 week ban; he was plain stupid head butting Cowan in the first game of the tri-nations. It seems to have set a president and the games are now full of players taking 10 minute breaks during the games.

Are the referees too sensitive? The tri-nations isn’t a series for the weak hearted. Seconds before sending Mitchell off Joubert  was heard to tell Wallabies’ skipper Rocky Elsom “I’m not responsible for how this affects the game because I warned you…”

Despite taking an early lead, New Zealand hit back with four tries before half time securing a bonus point. The win is New Zealand’s record eighth in a row against Australia (12 consecutive Tests) and means they are certain to retain the Bledisloe …

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Bakkies Botha receives 9 week ban following headbutt

Posted on July 11, 2010
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As expected, Bakkies Botha has received a nine week ban for headbutting New Zealand scrum half Jimmy Cowan in the second minute of yesterday’s opening round of the 2010 tri-nations. The suspension marks Botha’s fourth in as little as 15 months and now seriously jeopardises his international career through indiscipline.

As early as the second minute, Botha deliberately head butted the New Zealand scrum half after Cowan had pulled Botha’s jersey. Cowan had released the ball as Botha tackled the all black and as he fell on Cowan he appeared to wait for a second or two and then follow through with his head. Neither referee Alan Lewis or his assistants spotted the attack and it was ironic that 11 minutes later Botha was yellow carded for slowing the play down.

The South African second rower apologised during the hearing saying

“I sincerely regret the incident,” said Botha, who has been warned by his employers that his international future was on the line. “I have let my team, my country and my family down. I have done an injustice to the Springbok jersey and what it stands for. I apologise to Jimmy Cowan and the New Zealand rugby public for what happened. I truly regret my actions and will make sure that I put my extended time away from the game to positive use and return with the right attitude.”

New Zealand supremo Graham Henry thought Botha was lucky not to have received a longer ban

“Botha has got a history,” said Henry. “He’s probably lucky that he did not get more than nine weeks. It was one of those things that happens in a match which is not part of the game and it has been dealt with correctly. We just have to focus on this weekend’s game

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Bakkies Botha, what were you thinking?!!

Posted on July 10, 2010
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Following the recent sprinkling of “friendly” internationals in New Zealand, this morning marked the start of the Tri-Nations competition. The first game, between New Zealand and South Africa, at Eden Park promised so much and delivered on the most part. Despite a comprehensive win by New Zealand 32-12 and tries from Smith, Nonu, Read and Woodcock (bonus point) the game will be remembered for a moment of madness by Bakkies Botha. UPDATE: Botha receives 9 Week Ban

As early as the second minute, Botha deliberately head butted the New Zealand scrum half after Cowan had pulled Botha’s jersey. Cowan had released the ball as Botha tackled the all black and as he fell on Cowan he appeared to wait for a second or two and then follow through with his head. Neither referee Alan Lewis or his assistants spotted the attack and it was ironic that 11 minutes later Botha was yellow carded for slowing the play down.

When the incident was replayed on the big screen there was little left to the imagnination and the crowd were incensed, not once but the four times the head butt was shown. Bakkies Botha was cited for dangerous play after the match by SANZAR citing commissioner Scott Nowland, the competition’s ruling body said in a statement, and he will appear at a hearing before judicial officer Dennis Wheelahan in Auckland on Sunday. UPDATE: Botha receives 9 Week Ban

With the sides meeting again in the second match of the Tri-Nations next Saturday in Wellington, it would be a huge travesty of justice should Botha be part of that game or take a further part of the 2010 tri-nations series.

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