Should be Nathan White cited?

[Moses]

I started this thread to draw attention to what I thought was a pretty cowardly act on Saturday night. Nathan White for reasons unknown threw at least three punches to Al Baxter's head, and considering they pack on opposite sides of the scrum I'd suggest it was quite possibly unprovoked.

:baxter: was on a hiding to nothing, if he retaliated he would face a possible citing and potentially disrupt to the Tahs finals campaign, particularly with Kepu and Benn under injury clouds. If he did nothing he would end up with a broken nose. So full credit to :baxter: for not punching back and instead tackling the prick to ground in self defence.

I'm quite surprised to not see White face the judiciary over this, not that I'd like to see the dickhead banned, but because this sort of foul play should go on his record and be taken into consideration next time he assaults someone when his season is over.

There's footage from 29 seconds in this clip.

 

[fatprop]

He would have been in SA, they are harder on punches and Dunning found out previously. (happy to ignore off the ball niggle though)

 

[Scarfman]

Yeah, should have been cited. Al showed huge composure to keep his fists out of it. He should be rewarded for that with the other guy getting a week off.

 

[Moses]

He'd have to be cited before they can penalise him, even in SA! I find it strange that under the new judicial system when the official reviewed the tape and didn't think the incident worthy of an appearance.

I'm not saying he should be found guilty, but he should have to answer for his actions. At the time the kiwi commentator suggested he expected him to go to the bin, possibly for a very long time. Seems a bit underdone that the only note of the incident is a penalty.

 

[Biffo]

IMO he should have been cited. Too late now.

FP made a very valid point about different attitudes in different countries. In Australia we have always regarded punching, man to man, as a not too severe offence. In Europe, SA and NZ there is almost complete belief that punching, in any form, is among the most serious of offences.

 

[MrTimms]

I thought that at the time too. Had the fuse been lit and Al retaliated they both got carded, doing nothing he saved himself AND White. Fully expected to hear of a citing.

White deserves even the mark of a citing on his record, if not a week more to prep for mad monday.

 

[RugbyReg]

you know what? No. It was biffo and whats wrong with a bit of biffo? They're props for christ sake.

 

[#1 Tah]

I was disappointed that :baxter: didnt fight back. after all the hype about "lighting the fuze"

 

[Scarfman]

Losing our THP against the Canes would not have been smart. Full credit to Al.

 

[Pfitzy]

No citing. Should have been a yellow card but the refs couldn't see it. End of, move on.

 

[Moses]

The refs did see it, assistant told walsh he saw 3 black throwing punches

 

[Pfitzy]

I just heard "not sure if they connected". Why the fuck, if that's the case, wasn't a yellow or red card produced? That is utter bullshit - intent is everything in rugby. Weak stuff from Vinny Munro.

 

[Spook]

Al didn't look to worried by the handbags coming his way. Played a good game in the loose as well which is rare for him.

 

[cyclopath]

No citing. Should have been a yellow card but the refs couldn't see it. End of, move on.

Well in the footage the AR (? Munro) was looking at it the whole time, and reported 3 punches. What more do they need to see?
Sure, Noddy, it was "just a bit of biffo" and no-one was hurt, but at what point do we just accept that some prick can start chucking punches because he's getting his arse on a plate in the scrum, or somesuch?
Weak from the refs.