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Tendai 'The Beast' Mtawarira sends apology

Tendai Mtawarira tip tackles Keita Inagaki. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Springboks prop Tendai ‘The Beast’ Mtawarira has apologised to his opposing loosehead Keita Inagaki after his first half yellow card on Sunday in Tokyo.

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The 115-cap veteran was visibly pumped up after the national anthems, which is expected given that it was a Rugby World Cup quarter-final against the host nation Japan.

However, that emotion may have reached fever pitch on ten minutes with a tip tackle that some feel could have been a red card from referee Wayne Barnes.

After the game, the 34-year-old shared an image of himself with Inagaki, and shared the message: “I play the game hard but fair and was glad to get the opportunity to apologise to my opponent Keita Inagaki afterwards.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/B33cLAolX4K/?utm_source=ig_web_options_share_sheet

There is no denying that over his long career, Mtawarira has never shown anything to suggest he is a dirty player, and it is understandable that there is sometimes a surge of adrenalin which may lead to some players being overzealous in a tackle.

Barnes was quick to brandish the yellow, and had he turned to the television match official, it could have been worse for the Sharks prop, although the tackle did see Inagaki land on his shoulder rather than neck or head.

But only a few weeks after Canada lock Josh Larsen showed his class at the Rugby World Cup by apologising to the Springboks team after a red card, Mtawarira has also shown the values of the game.
The yellow card proved costly as well for South Africa, as it gave Japan a foothold into the game after a strong start from Rassie Erasmus’ side.

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The Brave Blossoms went on to dominate the next ten minutes, but only came away with three points. Despite only leading 5-3 at half time, the Springboks pulled away in the second half to win 26-3 and book a semi-final against Wales.

RugbyPass went off the beaten track to an iconic Maid Cafe in Akihabara, Tokyo.

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Bull Shark 3 hours ago
Rassie Erasmus' Boks selection policy is becoming bizarre

To be fair, the only thing that drives engagement on this site is over the top critiques of Southern Hemisphere teams.


Or articles about people on podcasts criticizing southern hemisphere teams.


Articles regarding the Northern Hemisphere tend to be more positive than critical. I guess to also rile up kiwis and Saffers who seem to be the majority of followers in the comments section. There seems to be a whole department dedicated to Ireland’s world ranking news.


Despite being dialled into the Northern edition - I know sweet fokall about what’s going on in France.


And even less than fokall about what’s cutting in Japan - which has a fast growing, increasingly premium League competition emerging.


And let’s not talk about the pacific. Do they even play rugby Down there.


Oh and the Americas. I’ve read more articles about a young, stargazing Welshman’s foray into NFL than I have anything related to either the north and south continents of the Americas.


I will give credit that the women’s game is getting decent airtime. But for the rest and the above; it’s just pathetic coming from a World Rugby website.


Just consider the innovation emerging in Japan with the pedigree of coaches over there.


There’s so much good we could be reading.


Instead it’s unimaginative “critical for the sake of feigning controversial”. Which is lazy, because in order to pull that off all you need to be really good at is:


1. Being a doos;

2. Having an opinion.


No prior experience needed.


Which is not journalism. That’s like all or most of us in the comments section. People like Finn (who I believe is a RP contributor).


Anyway. Hopefully it will get better. The game is growing and the interest in the game is growing. Maybe it will attract more qualified journalists over time.

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