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'I'll probably get in **** for that' - Wallabies 'waterboy' latest to draw fire

By Ian Cameron
Petrus du Plessis oversees the Wallabies scrum /PA

Wallabies scrum coach Petrus du Plessis surmised that he might be in trouble after he become the latest waterboy to be involved in a minor incident on the side of the pitch.

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Scotland stand-off Finn Russell had to shove the outsized waterboy out of the way when he went to retrieve a ball on the sideline during Scotland’s Autumn Nations Series game with Australia. Du Plessis let out a yelp after getting a shove from Russell with the advertising boards in sight but could later be heard on live stream saying: “I’ll probably get in s*** for that”

Former Saracens teammate and friend Jim Hamilton tweeted the retired prop: ‘ “I’ll probably get in shit for that” Only for the dive and scream.’

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The South African-born prop has been credited with turning the Wallabies’ scrummaging from Test level whipping boys into one of the sport’s best.

Although the cameo was more humourous than anything else, his interaction is the latest sideline staff incident at the top level of the sport, with Springboks Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus during the British & Irish Lions tour and an incident involving his replacement at the Rugby Championship making headlines.

Wasps’ waterboy was recently involved with a scuffle in the Ricoh Arena with Exeter Chiefs and England centre Henry Slade, while just last week Bath’s kit man was punished for comments he made to the referee.

Kit manager Steve Middleton accepted an RFU charge and was given a one-match suspension by an independent disciplinary panel, preventing him from attending this weekend’s game. Middleton also needs to deliver a presentation to the non-playing members of staff at Bath on the need to uphold standards and the core values of the game by December 2.

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The RFU said: “There is a growing problem with the conduct of non-playing personnel and disciplinary panels will not hesitate in taking strong action to combat this.”

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Flankly 1 hour ago
Springboks unbeaten run ends at hands of Los Pumas in Argentina

Jaw-dropping stats.


92% possession in the last 10 minutes, with the scoreboard at 29-28, but unable to find the 2 points necessary. Ouch!


Also, over the course of the game the Boks had 40% more passes, 80% more carries, and 50% more line breaks, but fewer points on the board. Is that a new-fangled attack that is still not working, or is the new normal for the Boks to work that much harder for their points than their opponents do?


But the real problem was defense. 28 points should be enough to win a game. The Boks are at their best when they consistently limit their opponents to 15 points or less. That's a good goal for any team. Argentina is a good (and under-rated) team, but the Boks have stopped good teams before.


Rassie needs to spend the next week figuring out why a backline that is full of double RWC winners has become so porous. The KLA yellow card explains some of it, but the Boks usually adapt. It may be time to call his buddy Nienaber. One part of it is that if you're going to de-emphasize the territorial game, then there is more pressure to minimize turnovers.


Manie will be wishing that there was a good kicker elsewhere in the team, so that he could contest for #10 without having to be a BMT place kicker. SA supporters were expecting something like the end of the Currie Cup final, but with a much easier kick. Unfortunately Manie doesn't seem to improve his kicking accuracy under pressure.


It has to be said: Congrats to Argentina.

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