18 - 25

40 - 44

42 - 10

18 - 16

16 - 26

37 - 7

25 - 0

22 - 19

Tomorrow

08:30

Tomorrow

10:10

Tomorrow

10:30

Tomorrow

12:40

Tomorrow

15:10

Sunday

08:40

Sunday

11:10

Duane Vermeulen's 'touchies' comment captures a mood after a tough week for rugby

By Online Editors

13 Dec 2020

(Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

There will those that don’t agree with the appropriateness of Springbok Duane Vermeulen’s comic turn during the Currie Cup match between the Bulls and the Sharks, but big No.8 certainly captured the mood of a decent section of rugby fans after a difficult week for the sport.

The potential long-term consequences of head collisions and concussion in the sport were brought into sharp relief with news that a group of former players are planning to take a class-action lawsuit against the RFU, WRU and World Rugby over neurological issues they believe have come about as a result of playing the game professionally.

The high tackle protocols, now in place for over a year, have left some in the rugby community questioning how exactly tackles can be made effectively within the protocols, and the Bulls’ forward’s comments certainly speak to that side of the aisle.

Trailer: Knocked

The Sharks beat the Bulls 32-29 in a Currie Cup crunch match in Durban this past Saturday, with Bulls flyhalf Morne Steyn missing a late penalty that could have drawn the match.

However, the moment of the match wasn’t the late drama, any of the five tries or the many brutal hits. It was the comment of Bulls captain Duane Vermeulen to Sharks counterpart and fellow World Cup Bok Lukhanyo Am after the second of the two yellow cards.

The first yellow card was dished out by referee Marius van der Westhuizen, in consultation with his TMO Marius Jonker, to Sharks centre Marius Louw in the 19th minute – following an awkward collision with Steyn.

Six minutes later the match officials, having now painted themselves into a corner, had no choice to issue Bulls prop Jacques van Rooyen with a yellow card for a similar incident.

Both Vermeulen and Am were called forward by the referee for a schoolmaster-like lecture.

It was then that a clearly agitated Vermeulen turned to Am and said: “Maybe we should play touchies [touch rugby]?”

The referee at least saw the funny side of the great Bok’s remark.

https://twitter.com/EdwardB24376757/status/1337939537318862848

Rugby 365

LIVE

Comments

0 Comments

Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Latest Features

LONG READ

'Who gives a crap?' Animosity towards the Springboks is proof of their dominance

Isn't hostility a sign you're on top? For the Springboks' detractors, that might explain a lot.

LONG READ

'Two groups of dancing bears': The cross-code clash making a comeback for charity

For the first time in 21 years, rugby union and rugby league go head to head to raise money for motor neurone disease charities.

LONG READ

Wales 'in one of their deepest holes for a long time'

With no evidence of progress and 400 days since Wales' last win, Warren Gatland is under intense scrutiny.

Comments on RugbyPass

Michael Röbbins (academic and writer extraordinair 23 minutes ago

Ireland survive a major scare in unconvincing win over Argentina

Well said except Argentina is most certainly not an “emerging nation” as far as rugby is concerned. If you’re making global-social-political claim, then I’m out of my depth entirely.

Argentina by multiple leagues of magnitude played better than Ireland today. Striking away a try in the 2nd minute did not necessarily lead to Arg demise, but as we all know, rugby is such an emotional game that then to be down 12-0 over nothing is gut-wrenching, especially as it was effectively a 19 point swing. Argentina’s fight back throughout the rest of the match was laudable.

A howl of great sadness for a beautiful sport that has criminal administrators, feckless refs, foppish TMOs, idiotic tv pundits, et al. attempting to collectively suicide the whole thing. No fault of the players or coaches necessarily. We have a situation where punitive cards that detract away from the essence and loftiness of the game itself are celebrated to a degree that is pathologically purblind. Rugby has created for itself a fetish for punishment rather than simply allowing the game to be played. Shameful.

6 Go to comments

ClintP 39 minutes ago

Ireland survive a major scare in unconvincing win over Argentina

TMO refereeing again instead of being used when called upon, as agreed in other comments the first yellow wasn’t even a penalty, more a rugby collision. If the head knock is severe enough to warrant a card why does neither player ever go off for a HIA?

6 Go to comments

Rob 54 minutes ago

Ireland player ratings vs Argentina | 2024 Autumn Nations Series

Absolutely right, can’t expect nearly an all kiwi officiating team to know the rules properly 😉

5 Go to comments

Rob 57 minutes ago

All Blacks’ Scott Barrett on limiting France’s ‘general’ Antoine Dupont

Tbf this is only the 3rd time they’ve played since 2018

2 Go to comments

d 1 hour ago

Regardless of the France result Razor's All Blacks have proved something

totally agree, Graham is guilty of gross exaggeration, world rankings are an accurate indication of a side's overall capability and Ireland did beat the Boks at home last time they played, which we couldn't. France has been our nemesis too often, and to win 3 in a row is a big ask. I think the ABs need to lose the box kick approach to regain the #1 ranking, but lets see what Razor can do in the next year.

7 Go to comments

JJ 1 hour ago

Wales 'in one of their deepest holes for a long time'

Excellent article and brings us up to date. What about the future though? Leon MacDonald would seem the obvious answer, but who knows with the WRU. Worst Run Union? Probably!

8 Go to comments

JJ 1 hour ago

Wales 'in one of their deepest holes for a long time'

The answer being South Africa 2nd XV. Rassie will rest his main team and look to give experience to the wider squad.

8 Go to comments

OJohn 1 hour ago

Joseph Suaalii dropped as Wallabies change 6 for Wales

As predicted, this is what kiwi coaches do in Australia. Constantly chop and change the team so Australian players can't get settled in one position and become a threat to the All Blacks. It's very cunning but we know what's going on .....

4 Go to comments

LRB 1 hour ago

Ireland survive a major scare in unconvincing win over Argentina

Well said, card was a joke. Irish player milked it too

6 Go to comments

Bull Shark 1 hour ago

All Blacks’ Scott Barrett on limiting France’s ‘general’ Antoine Dupont

Did not know that the ABs haven’t beaten France since 2018.

Interesting.

2 Go to comments

Rodrigo N 1 hour ago

Ireland survive a major scare in unconvincing win over Argentina

Agree. Just in the last play of the match I counted at least one penalty by Irish players. As it happens with all emerging nations, it´s demoralizing and exhausting to always be on the wrong side of any refereeing decision just by default.

6 Go to comments

SadersMan 2 hours ago

Ireland survive a major scare in unconvincing win over Argentina

A very poor yellow card call which rubbed out a legit ARG try imo. It wasn't even a penalty. The Irish player was perched lower than the tackler & raised his height into the him thus causing the head clash. As we know, not all head clashes are necessarily foul play, & for me this was such an instance. Ten in the bin for Paul Williams & TMO.

6 Go to comments

Bull Shark 2 hours ago

The 'one difference' between Boks and the back-to-back All Blacks

Neither can Razor. Must suck having your best days behind you.

16 Go to comments

SadersMan 2 hours ago

Ireland player ratings vs Argentina | 2024 Autumn Nations Series

I didn't think ARG's 1st yellow was a card at all, not even a penalty. The Irish player was lower than the tackler & actually raised his height, thus causing the head clash in my opinion. As we know, not all head clashes are foul play & for me, this was such an instance. And a double blow for ARG was that they had a legit try erroneously ruled out. A poor standard of officiating by Williams, & TMO.

5 Go to comments

Bull Shark 2 hours ago

The 'one difference' between Boks and the back-to-back All Blacks

So you don’t think 2023 WC to 2027 WC with a few RCs and >80% rate along the way would stack up? Three world cups in a row?

We finished 2023 with 85% and a World Cup. On track for 80% in 2024 plus an RC.

Rassie’s the only guy who has any hope of getting close to that AB record.

What was Henry’s record up until 2011? Everyone knows how great the ABs were between 2007 and 2015. But there was a period of building that got them there that seems to get overlooked.

Rassie and Nienaber took a 7th ranked team to number one. Henry inherited the All Blacks from Mitchell (with an 82% win rate). Much easier job than turning water into wine.

I guess I can’t blame you for holding on so dearly to that itch. Those AB glory days are well and truly behind you. It’s all you’ve got to hang on to.

Good luck with France tomorrow. 🥴

16 Go to comments

Willie 2 hours ago

New scrumhalf rule among 4 global Law trials as others shot down

Watch volley ball if you want a speed game. Part of the appeal of rugby is set plays. Stopping the clock while the ball is in touch is the only change needed. I am from Victoria, having escaped the trauma of living in Brisbane amongst you nuff nuffs!

8 Go to comments

JWH 2 hours ago

New scrumhalf rule among 4 global Law trials as others shot down

And where might you be from exactly? You can definitely speed up the game without removing parts. I particularly like the play on rule for lineouts; makes a lot of sense and speeds up the game.

8 Go to comments

JWH 2 hours ago

Ireland survive a major scare in unconvincing win over Argentina