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VIDEO: 'I don't think 62,000 paid to see a 15 versus 14 game' - Ackermann

Lions headcoach Johann Ackermann has responded to the 38th minute Kwagga Smith red card that marred the Super Rugby Final in Ellis Park.

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The Crusaders ran out 25 – 17 victors over the Lions, despite a late second half fight back.

“I don’t think 62,000 paid to see a 15 versus 14”, Ackerman said when quizzed on the incident by reporters.

“The player can get disciplined afterwards, and I’ll stand by that, especially if it’s not out of the law in the sense that it’s a kick to the face or a punch or dirty play.

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“I can’t say too much … I have to respect what the officials say. One must take into account that if a player jumps in the air going forward, where does he go if somebody touches his legs.

“I suppose the New Zealand people are happy now that Jaco is a good ref, because last week he wasn’t a good ref.”

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Nickers 28 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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