Bullsrush first I want to congrats NZ on the win and in no way am I saying they did not deserve to win. They did. But thats not my point. Think past the gates of Eden Park and think of neutrals and selling the game of rugby. Game was spoilt because referees seem to apply SA do nothing by accident but on purpose mindset when officiating a game where SA is involved.
Secondly its not a attack on NZ so you do not have to jump the gun like it is when NZ are mentioned. Altough I do understand on the otherside why you would take it up as that due to some idiots yet again go and send harsh messages over Cyberspace to Messam. So its taken up as SA fans. Thus placing SA fans as one who all share the same view. I think outside SA rugby fans imagine every SA supporter looking like that twat who attacked the ref in Cape Town. Personally he loks like and no offense to people in the North but someone you find at Loftus or in Bloemfontein......
But coming back to my point. In 2002 to 2004 SA gave away a lot of penalties and some individuals took the smash the English thing a bit too far. Which resulted in a embarrising defeat and some real bad sportmanship. Also it created a image that SA went from physical to Thugby.
We also conceded more penalties than NZ and AUs in the Tri Nations. In 2004 Jake White's first year he took everything step by step. First counter attack. The penalty amount was still 50 percent more than Aus and NZ's.
New Zealand conceded 6.2 per game
Australia 7.1
South Africa 9.2
New Zealand v Australia ref: A Rolland (I) 2
Australia v New Zealand ref: J Kaplan (SA) 1
South Africa v Australia ref: P O’Brien (NZ) 2
NZ got the least amount of yellows which is understandable as they broke the law less than SA. All fine.
The next year he worked on the discipline. SA conceded the least amount of penalties but received the only YC. And it was in the first of the Aus vs SA match and this is where tolerance comes in it was given in the first half.
If we look at 2007
NEW ZEALAND For 43 Against 35
AUSTRALIA 39 39
SOUTH AFRICA 30 38
As you can see all three teams conceded roughly the same amount of penalties and if you consider SA see less possession the penalty is actually low for a team that defend a lot.
But in that year 6 cards were issued and 5 of them went to SA.
Foul play 1
Offside at ruck 1
Ruck/Tackle – Hands in Ruck 2
Ruck/Tackle – Preventing Release 2
I am not going to rant on and on but you get the picture when it all adds up SA have got triple the amount of YC for repeated infringements but got a lower penalty count. If you compare that in the six nations teams average around 50 pk in the tournament where they each get 1 or two YC. NZ run around 60 pk a tri nations and TRC series without a single YC.
Laws apply for both teams and how can NZ supporters be unhappy when its mentioned about the high penalty count low YC total. Not NZ fault as officials apply good image/bad image to games and judge teams on past digressions not at what is happening before them.
Every miss intercept on a slow ball 50 yards from the line with a fanned out defense is seen as deliberate. Its funny how Joubert and Peyper who are good refs standard suddenly dropped when around TRC games.
Considering what happened to Cobus Wessels and Dickinson I can understand why the reluctance of copping out YC in BC games or why touch judges ignore calls happening in front of them as it would mean they are out of a job. Its their profession and I would also keep my mouth shut if it could mean pointing it out might cost me my job. I suppose SA just accept it and goes on about it. Only to have it hhappening again and again. Look at poor Dickinson. He was scared in the end that he missed a Thorn Spear tackle right infront of him saying he did not see it.
So referees do get influenced by upper managements actions by slamming them in public and making a example of them. What do you think is going to happen next and its already happening? Everyone going to blame NZ and officials are going to avoid that might cost them their job.
Here is the tackle. I can assure you the BdP is another Saffer thug did more damage on the outcome of the referees decision than the clear and obvious did.
Its 2013 and yet we still seeing a problem which started in the 40's. If a ref gets intimidated by Kiwi fans in the stands then WTF is he doing there? Though I think thats a junk excuse cause SA would be much more intimidating considering you might get Piet van Zyl'd during the game