Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

'Unsportsmanlike ' - Controversial scenes as England and Argentina stall play

Argentina and England appear to both benefit from stalling play.

There were controversial scenes in Toulouse today as England and Argentina Sevens players found themselves in a bizarre situation, with both sides appearing to agree to delay the scoring of a try.

ADVERTISEMENT

The two sides met in the pool stage of Day 2 at the HSBC France Sevens and found themselves in a controversial stand-off due to the mathematics of the tournaments and some frankly cynical opportunism on either side’s part.

Halfway through the second-half England’s Will Homer broke free and began sprinting to the Argentinian try line but when he reached it, he refused to dot the ball down, as he was eager to eat up time on the clock.

It’s a common practice in Sevens, but the problem was that the Argentinians were also happy for the clock to run down, as they wanted to protect a points margin that would see them through to the quarter-finals.

With England only needing to lose by less than 16 points, both teams were set to benefit from the clock running down.

“Unique. Bizarre. Controversial,” wrote the official World Rugby Sevens Twitter account. “Time seems to stand still in Toulouse as England deliberately delay scoring the try that takes them through to the quarter-finals – and Argentina, down to six men and also going through, let them.”

“It might be gamesmanship, but this is the laws,” remarked commentator Rob Vickerman.”Quite remarkable scenes.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Many fans weren’t impressed, with some calling for England and Argentina to be banned as a result of the scenario, while others suggested that it bordered on match fixing.

Journalist Paul Tait suggested the referee could have stepped in. “England should have been penalized. The referee knows better. Law 9.7.d wasting time. Law 9.27 against the spirit of good sportsmanship.”

EK Rugby Analysis wrote: “Obviously don’t like seeing this. Rationally, it makes sense for England and Argentina as they both go through while conserving energy – Sevens is exhausting to play. There should be something like a 30s time limit to score though similar to conversions and pens.”

ADVERTISEMENT

It’s been a rare tournament to date with plenty of upsets so far. Men’s Series title contenders South Africa, Argentina and Australia are all beaten on day one in France.

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

2 Comments
A
Allan 893 days ago

As a penalty they should be MADE to play each other in the quarterfinals! I'd bet that they wouldn't stuff around like this then!! And it would ensure that one of them would go no further than this debacle! Shame on both teams!

R
R M 897 days ago

WR be like....hmmm....lets ban the coaches who bring water on.

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ “He’s given Connacht everything” – Bundee Aki’s future, and an exciting tactical innovation “He’s given Connacht everything” – Bundee Aki’s future, and an exciting tactical innovation
Search