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'It's a disgrace to the game of rugby that a player can behave like that'
By Ian Cameron
Former Springboks flyhalf Butch James has gone in hard on Wallabies scrumhalf Nic White following South Africa’s Rugby Championship loss to Australia.
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The Wallabies’ 25-17 victory at the Adelaide Oval has blown the tournament open once again, but there was more than one incident that left a sour taste in South African mouths.
One moment in particular set tongues wagging.
In the 39th minute Wallabies No.9 White ‘earned’ Australia a yellow card after he received a glancing blow to the moustache from opposite number Faf de Klerk.
White appeared to look up to the referee and then drop to the ground following the minor collision, leading many to believe that he had made the most of the contact to eke out a penalty.
Faf looked perplexed when Referee Paul Williams awarded him a yellow card for the incident and needless to say, it didn’t go down well with Boks’ fans or indeed the panel of experts on Super Sport in SA, who didn’t see the funny side of it.
Well-known South African sports pundit Mark Keohane said White should have been sent off, not de Klerk. “Nic White should have been carded for that Oscar … his most embarrassing moment as a professional.”
Nic White should have been carded for that Oscar … his most embarrassing moment as a professional
— Mark Keohane (@mark_keohane) August 27, 2022
Reacting to the incident after the game, James told the panel on Super Sport that: “It’s a disgrace to the game of rugby that a player [Nic White] can behave like that.”
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Fellow panelist Nick Mallett pointed out that De Klerk has set himself for a fall by making contact in the first place. “It’s stupid enough to have a swinging arm, he opened himself up to it,” said Mallett.
The incident of course became a talking point on Twitter, where many did see the funny side of it.
Former Scotland lock Jim Hamilton wrote: “Some men would rather be stripped naked in -40 degree temperatures live on tv than have their moustache slapped off.”
Some men would rather be stripped naked in -40 degree temperatures live on tv than have their moustache slapped off. #AUSvRSA
— Jim Hamilton (Vice Captain) (@jimhamilton4) August 27, 2022
After more than 40 years of acting, Tom Selleck is finally in the running for an Oscar. #NicWhite #AUSvRSA pic.twitter.com/Bq4fea764w
— The Bruce (@RobRay_ZA) August 27, 2022
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Squidge Rugby described it as a classic piece of scrumhalf skullduggery. “That’s an all-time bit of scrum-half play by Nic White. Turns an absolutely nothing moment into a yellow card by milking it so vigorously they now serve that moment in vegan cafes.”
That’s an all-time bit of scrum-half play by Nic White. Turns an absolutely nothing moment into a yellow card by milking it so vigorously they now serve that moment in vegan cafes.
— Squidge Rugby (@SquidgeRugby) August 27, 2022
Faffy also tackled Oscar winner white he was on the ground.
you swing a closed fist ,you pay with yellow card
Not what Nigel Owen saw. He said he would have reversed the penalty and cautioned White. He also said the try saving tackle was illegal and he would have given a penalty try and a yellow to Australian wing.
What about the red card the Wallabies nr 11 should of got for the no arms tackle that he made on Mpimpi on the try line??
The referee didn't even refer it.
Feet left the ground before the tackle (just). Mpimpi was trying to jump over.
Best moment of the rugby championship so far. He tried to get the arm wrap in but physically impossible at the speed he was traveling.
Swinging arm face slaps and hair pulling dont belong in the game
Neither do soccer histrionics. Nigel Iwen said he would have penalised White.
Some kind soul please lend bifocals to these unfortunate folk, both of whom are clearly suffering from some acute form of myopia since they insist a "closed fist" and a "face slap" occurred.
Neither does actors or softies for that matter.
Bokke fans have become the whingy whiny club everytime they lost. LOL. too embarrassing and very unworldcup winner like.. being hit on the nose is one very painful spot. just hit yourself there and check your response..
You should read what Nigel Owen said.
At least we know what it is like to win the world cup lot.
Apologies if we insist on an unbiased referee, we like to win our games on merit, we are very passionate about it.
FYI, seems like you are only here to make silly unconfirmed statements and did not actually watch the game because if you did,you would see that the mere touch from Faf was nowhere near Tom Hank's nose.
We have other forms of entertainment than slapping ourselves. We leave that to Australians and their suburban cousins, New Zealanders.