Tuesday’s Rugby News has yet another Judgement Day for the Force, Wallabies players talking Force, Boks coach Coetzee talking Wallabies and a referee assault.
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Judgement Day 2
Remember when Terminator 1 came out? I don’t, I don’t think I was alive.
Remember when Terminator 2 came out? I don’t, I was barely sentient. But what I do know is that movie is awesome – and god willing, the inspiration for my next mega viral hit on Facebook – and its subtitle is ‘Judgement Day’.
Back then, no one knew that Terminator would spew out Terminator Genisys, and absolute steaming poo of a film.
Well that’s what this Force saga’s like. It’s just going on and on and becoming worse and worse. And when you think it’s hit rock bottom, it just keeps dragging on.
Today, 10am, is slated to be ‘Judgement Day’, which is probably the 3rd or 4th judgement day the Force have had. And if it isn’t their real judgement day, there’ll just be another one.
What’s happening is that the Force will learn if they can take their case to the NSW Supreme Court. That’s all that’s happening.
Anyhoo, here’s Twiggy doing his posturing/actual hero thing. He wants the ARU to tell Sanzaar to talk to the hand.
“I would say lead,” Forrest said, according to Fox Sports.
“They could go into those negotiations, say we did our best, we couldn’t cut a team. We don’t want to cut a team — put up with it. It is not too late. I’m in business. Global business.
“I know what too late looks like. I know what 11th hour looks like. And I certainly know what bullies look like.
“And I’m saying to you, this is not 11th hour. This is not too late. Keep the Western Force. Stop this legal charade. Be transparent.”
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Nuh Nuh Nuh
Unsurprisingly, the Western Force players in the Wallabies team were asked about this whole charade for the gorillionth time.
Adam Coleman and Dane Haylett-Petty were there to the best with their canned responses.
“Everyone’s got a Plan B put in place,” Coleman began (via rugby.com.au). “The saga, I suppose, has been going on for three months or so. I think you’d be silly if you didn’t have or try and put in place a Plan B of some sort. Others that are potentially in a harder case, everyone’s trying to look for a plan B.
“I love Perth, I call Perth home now and when I come back on holidays, I stay in Perth and I’m always loyal to the Force and if they continue on, I’ll definitely be playing my rugby in Perth.”
DHP said much the same:
“At the moment we haven’t talked too many options because we’re hoping the appeal is won,” said Australia’s best winger.
“[We’re] definitely a little bit nervous but there’s not much we can do,” he said. “All season we’ve had to put it aside and focus on footy and that’s what we’re definitely doing.
“We’ve got a big game this weekend and need a good prep. We’ll deal with the decision tomorrow morning.”
What about that whole not-showing-up fiasco?
“There’s a lot of South Africans, a lot of Wallabies supporters here, so I think it’ll be a great occasion on Saturday and I think the boys are really keen to rip in,” Coleman continued.
“I’m sure the rugby community will turn out in numbers.
“They can come out in a gold jersey or a blue jersey. just don’t come out in a green jersey.”
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Coetzee Chats
The Boks are in East Bokkestan (i.e. Perth) so naturally coach Alistair Coetzee has had a chat to the media. Some are calling what his says a sick burn, but I dunno he’s just saying stuff.
“To not to have won that one, I don’t know how it slipped away in the last three minutes when you get so close to winning a Test,” Coetzee told the AAP bloke (via Fox Sports). “They recovered well and to put themselves in a position to win it, you should win it.
“If you look at the first Test and you take the mistakes out of that first Test, every single mistake they made they got punished,” Coetzee continued, as he cooked springbok on die Braai, or whatever it is that South Africans do. “We always knew despite the Super Rugby performances, this is a good Australian side. Take 50 players from Australia and put them together, you’ll still have a world-class team out there.”
Coetzee had special praise for Kurtley Beale.
“Kurtley Beale is an exceptional player,” Coetzee said as he chewed on biltong, or whatever it is South Africans do.
“He’s one of those world-class players and he will always have a massive impact in any game because he’s a skilful player. I think he reads space very well. He’s got all the skill sets to distribute, to be able to kick.
“And he’s a good reader on the game. He’s a massive influence on the Wallabies’ attack at this point in time.”
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Referee Assault
A teenage player has been charged with common assault by the coppers after punching a referee during a game in Maitland, NSW on the weekend.
The Newcastle Herald reports that Mark Meafua, 18, of Maitland Blacks, hit referee Niklas Gaal, 19, after being given a yellow card.
“[Gaal] was widely praised for his handling of the incident and received a standing ovation when, after consulting with other officials, he decided to referee the remainder of the game,” says the Herald.
“Meafua was removed from the field, but witnesses say he returned to apologise. Police said [Gaal] suffered minor injuries after allegedly being struck in the jaw.”
Meafua left the ground, but was later charged by the police at his home. He’ll face Maitland local court on 18 October. He will also face the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union’s disciplinary committee, with a life ban a possibility.
Maitland Rugby Club Ben Emmett stressed both his disgust at Meafua’s action.
“The Maitland Rugby Club prides itself upon the principles of fair play, honesty and respect for others,” Emmett said.
“This is especially true of those individuals that are chosen to officiate our games and ensure that they are played in the true spirit of rugby.
“We cannot, and will not, condone any behaviours that threaten or devalue the remarkable place that referees and officials play in our game.”
The Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union stressed that while Gaal was the one assaulted, they also have to look after Meafua’s welfare too.
Gaal has actually been identified as an up-and-coming referee, and is one of the local union’s youngest (if not the youngest) first grade referrees.
Maitland unsurprisingly lost their grand final against the Wanderers, 28-3.
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