#FlashBackFriday: That time the Boks got ripped off in Auckland

The Springboks haven’t played in Auckland for a while, but the last time they did left a bitter taste in their mouths. In 2013, the All Blacks triumphed 29-15 at Eden Park. It was a bitter, violent encounter – reminiscent of the 1950’s and ‘60’s when games were won by how quickly you could punch the guy marking you unconscious.

The Boks relied on the staunch play of brothers Jannie and Bismarck du Plessis up front, and it was the hooker who ended up being at the centre of a controversy that this match is most remembered for.

After the All Blacks scored a pretty dodgy early try, Bismarck flew out of the line and laid a beautiful hit on Dan Carter. It’s one of those tackles that everyone outside of New Zealand had been waiting for, rattling Carter’s spine and knocking all the wind out of him.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZdaVL4bcTM

It didn’t just shake Carter. The entire 48,000 strong crowd took a sharp intake of breath at the brutal act that had just occurred. Everyone was impressed – except referee Roman Poite, who inexplicably gave du Plessis a yellow card.

I was at Eden Park that night, and what happened next is a pretty unprecedented event in All Black history. The crowd booed long and hard – but at the decision, not at the opposition player. It was clear as day that the South Africans had been dudded by the worst sin binning of all time, and everyone let the ref know about it.

But it wasn’t over. While that broadside had rendered Bismarck out of action for 10, a torpedo was to follow in the second half that’d sink the Bok hard man.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ccKGKtGjOA

This leading elbow to the throat of Liam Messam was a little more debatable than the first, however it’s pretty clear it wasn’t intentional. Poite was having none of it and issued his second yellow and automatic red.

Game, set, match to the All Blacks.

In the wash up, the Boks appealed the decision. It turned out that Bismarck’s first hit wasn’t bad enough to warrant a yellow, and therefore World Rugby rescinded the red he received. It would’ve been cold comfort for the team, who went on to lose to the All Blacks once again at Ellis Park and watch them lift the Rugby Championship.

As for Poite, well let’s just say he’s not only in favour of the All Blacks when it comes to making terrible decisions at Eden Park.