Blues coach Pat Lam has well and truly spat the dummy over what he regards as inconsistencies by Super Rugby citing commissioners.
Rugby365
Lam’s outburst came after flank Luke Braid was banned for three weeks, after he punched Stormers replacement Nizaam Carr in the 17-27 loss at Newlands last week.
It was the Blues’ third defeat in four outings – following the 18-19 reversal to the Crusaders, a 14-29 defeat to the Chiefs and a 29-23 win over the Bulls.
SANZAR judicial officer Mike Heron found that Braid had struck the Stormers player twice – the first with his forearm to the back of the neck, the second with a part-open hand to the head.
“I find the striking (on both occasions) to be deliberate and dangerous,” Heron said.
Despite this strong condemnation by the SANZAR official, Lam told NZ Newswire that he is upset hooker Dan Coles will be in the Hurricanes’ side to face the Blues in Auckland on Friday – after avoiding being cited against the Highlanders.
Lam said it’s fair enough that Braid has to take responsibility, although he described the player’s actions as “really innocuous”.
“All we ask for is fairness,” Lam said on Wednesday.
“We’ve got one guy who’s out for three weeks and another guy playing this week and openly admitting what he did and it’s obviously worse than what Luke did.
“Nothing against the players, it’s more against the citing commissioners.”
The Blues have a bye next week, so Braid will miss two matches.
According to New Zealand media reports Coles have conceded that he might have been lucky to avoid a citing after the Hurricanes’ 17-19 defeat to the Highlanders.
Coles was penalised for leading with his shoulder in a ruck and later threw a punch at opposition prop Bronson Murray.
He described what he did as “stupid retaliation” and something he would have to cut out of his game.
Lam was also critical of the short turnaround the team has had after coming back from South Africa and having to play on a Friday.
All the other New Zealand teams had Saturday games after such a trip.
“It is tough be have got to embrace that and get on and perform as a group. And I’m confident we will do that,” he said.
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March 21st, 2012 at 4:21 pm
Heheheheheh
I’m hearing stuff I’ve heard before from other people more often…
Loving it…
March 22nd, 2012 at 2:17 am
Was a pathetic slap though… citings are too harsh this year for mine…
Not a fan of the two Braids… definitely a ‘sandwich short of a picnic’ (if it was Aus they’d be league players)… they short have been cited for their 3yr old tantrums the entire game rather!
March 22nd, 2012 at 4:00 am
Reply to DavidS @ 4:21 pm: Ja about time too…I recall Lam had a lot say last year too.
Reply to bryce_in_oz @ 2:17 am: You are a funny chap, rose tinted glasses an oll.
Striking is striking in rugby. Flat hand, closed fist.
Its going to be really interesting seeing the stats of cards this year versus previous years.
Its up already and Bakkies is not even playing…
March 22nd, 2012 at 4:48 am
Reply to Kevin_rack @ 4:00 am:
So much all that ‘get the Japies’ rubbish eh?
As for the rose-tinted glasses… wait till you see it… pitiful…
Rugby is becoming far to sterilised… there is place for the odd slap or two… otherwise it’s going to become like AFL and their ‘hold-the-jersey-and-rabbit-punch’ bollocks…
One week ban is enough for a fairy tap!
March 22nd, 2012 at 4:55 am
Reply to Kevin_rack @ 4:00 am:
Not sure I understand what you mean ‘rose tinted glasses’ all the same?
March 22nd, 2012 at 3:26 pm
Methos would be sent packing if these laws were in the French league!
March 22nd, 2012 at 3:36 pm
This is rugby union dammit… a decent slap/punch should be applauded, then punished with a game missed and that is that!
This was nothing to be proud of though… I still love that Kockott slap on Thompson from yesteryear…
March 22nd, 2012 at 4:58 pm
Bryce
This last Sunday I didn’t even punch in a fight after the scrum. Had a chance to knock out the no 5 lock. Was golden opportunity – but I don’t hit a guy when he is not looking. But later in the game the same fooker headbutted the crap out of me in a maul. I came through the maul and got my hands on the ball. WHAM!!! Solid headbutt on the cheek bone. Saw stars and all. Fell down and did a spot of hollywooding – this is France after all – Ref gave penalty to us and talking to the guy before letting him play on. Afterwards I asked him why he didn’t give a card. He said that the guy already had one yellow in the game and that another yellow would have mant a red and he didn’t feel that the 2 offences didn’t warrant a red… For crying out loud – I told him a punch is a headbutt is a card? No wonder the rugby here is so violent.
Cheers
March 22nd, 2012 at 6:26 pm
on inconsistencies. What is up with the tip tackle laws? Hougie gets a red, yet Ione’s tackle was worse and he got a yellow? All i want is consistency. I dont think it warrants a red, neither one, but why does Hougaard get a red, but then ALL other tip tackles Ive seen get off with a yellow.
Was just wondering, not crying conspiracy, does the law not say automatic red? Why not a red across the board then? Why do some people get a yellow and others a red. Shyte take the red out methinks. Give a yellow, and only two yellows per game allows for a red.
March 24th, 2012 at 1:55 am
Reply to Aldo @ 6:26 pm:
Digby got a 5 week ban though…
Reply to Methos The French Stormer @ 4:58 pm:
French leagues definitely the dirtiest around…
March 24th, 2012 at 6:46 am
Reply to bryce_in_oz @ 1:55 am:
I understand from the outcome that this was Hougaard’s first brush with the law whilst this was not Digby’s first brush with officialdom of discipline…