No punishment for Matt Giteau

09 August 2009 (21:27)

South Africa will on Monday appear before a disciplinary committee of the International Rugby Board (IRB) because Springbok players wore white armbands in support of Bakkies Botha in the final test against the Lions. Matt Giteau on the other hand got off scot-free for his dirty play in Saturday’s test at Newlands.

SA Rugby’s head of communications, Andy Colquhoun, confirmed on Sunday that there was no citation after South Africa’s victory of 29-17 over Australia in Saturday’s Tri-Nations match.Giteau was one of three Aussies sent off the field during the match. He floored Fourie du Preez in the 35th minute while the Springbok scrumhalf was waiting for a high ball. Giteau knocked him down with his elbow and made no attempt at playing the ball.

He could easily have been given a red card for his offence, but the New Zealand citation official David Gray decided not to pursue the matter.

Bakkies Botha’s two week suspension, given for recklessly storming into a ruck during the second Test against the British and Irish Lions, is still remembered by many and the lack of consistency in the disciplinary process will again leave a bitter taste in the mouth of South Africans.

The Springboks were so upset with Botha’s suspension, which had surprised even their opponents, that they wore white armbands with the words “Justice 4” referring to Botha, in the third Test against the Lions on 4 July.

This led to fierce reaction from the IRB and it was announced that South Africa would on Monday appear before a disciplinary hearing.

The chairperson of the disciplinary committee is New Zealand’s John Hansen, with Argentina’s Guillermo Tragant and Australia’s John Eales as other members. The hearing will take place via telephone conference and the general feeling is that South Africa will be given a hefty fine.

The punishment will however not stop the positive wave that has been caused by three consecutive victories by South Africa at home. Saturday’s victory over the Wallabies followed back to back wins against the All Blacks and a series win over the British & Irish Lions.

South Africa’s captain, John Smit, surprised spectators with a cheeky grubber kick to Victor Matfield, which led to the Boks’ only try.

It is almost unheard of for tight forwards to use the boot and brings to mind Smit’s little joke last week that he would in future consider a move to flyhalf should there again be a crisis.

“There were a few options – either a grubber kick or a drop goal! I can try my left foot at a grubber kick but not a drop goal,” joked Smit after the match.

South Africa leave next Monday on tour and are the overwhelming favourites to win the Tri-Nations title.

The Springboks have three more matches in this year’s Tri-Nations, two against Australia and one against New Zealand.

53 Responses to No punishment for Gitts…

  • 1

    Fork !!

    Die Janne gaan nie hieror bly wees nie !

  • 2

    Absolute rubbish Groot, ek het een of ander lame of token penalty verwag maar bokkerol, niks, zero, nada…nee wat, belaglik.

    Dit was een van die swakste/gevaarlikste tackles wat ek in ‘n lang tyd gesien het, self Kafer het Sondag gese hoe meer hy dit sien hoe slegter lyk dit en hy verwag een of ander sensuur teen hom.

  • 3

    Kan jy dit glo.
    Genugtig daar is werklik 2 stelle reels, een vir ons en een vir die res.
    Hierdie is nou eintlik wonderlike skietgoed in more se verhoor, dit stop net nie die dubbel standaarde.

  • 4

    The IRB knows this citing comission sh!t is not working, they are working on it, I am just glad its not Morne or Fourie on any one of our team for that matter! We know what would have happened then!

  • 5

    Yip Super, aanvaar dit is ok om ‘n man in die gesigte slaan met jou elmboog solank jy net nie hom ernstig beseer nie!

  • 6

    5
    Verstaan nie man , praat Afrikaans πŸ˜†

  • 7

    OK nag manne praat more weer, dis mos vakansie dag!!!

  • 8

    Ek se maar ook dan,GOOD Night

  • 9

    Ek sal dan maar vir my koffie gaan maak en begin werk…onthou, hande bo die kombers!

  • 10

    As dit Bakkies was, was dit 6 weke….

  • 11

    #10 6 maande!

  • 12

    LATEST: Dan Carter has said he’s ready and the All Blacks coaches have listened, the 59-test five-eighth drafted into the squad for the remainder of the Tri-Nations after just two provincial outings for Canterbury.

    Whether the move smacks more of desperation or common sense is open to debate, but the All Blacks coaches clearly decided they’d seen enough after Carter’s star turn in Canterbury’s 22-16 win over Auckland at Eden Park on Saturday night.

  • 13

    Rugged Rocky Elsom awaits the All Blacks with the Wallabies keen to test his fitness at a three day training camp in Sydney this week.

    While the All Blacks have called a training day in Auckland on Wednesday to try to help sort out their struggling game, the Wallabies are going to busy themselves at the end of the week following their loss to the Springboks.

    They have a three-day training camp from Thursday.

    Lekker om ABs en Aus te sien skarrel, gewoonlik moet ons die vure doodslaan. Met die rug teen die muur veg, kry vir julle. Dankie Springbokke

  • 14

    More all πŸ˜€

    Just when I though no one could beat the ABs in the arena of truly horrible statistics :

    The Wallaby lineout outdid the All Blacks for ineptitude, losing nine of their own throws !

  • 15

    Victor Matfield will forever be remembered, not only by us but everyone he played against. He must haunt other locks. Somehow he is in their heads and they struggle the moment he plays them. A legend already.

  • 16

    SuperBul

    I saw the highlights on Sunday & when he scored his try & he ran back pointing at JS the HUGE smile on his face was like that of a 8 year old child who had just scored for the very first time.

    It is so lovely & refreshing to see such experienced players can still get such a rush πŸ˜€

  • 17

    16# RP
    I sent the article to GBS, and included his addie as well.

    13# What holiday is it today in SA?

  • 18

    It is amazing he and JS spend so much time together in training in hotel and more than 60 games together. This current Springbok team have a lifetime together. Would love to see a book about them, so many memorable photos to share. I am so glad to see a Bok team on top of the world, we waited so long. This is precious, forgive us if we go lyrical.

  • 19

    17
    Womans Day

    yeah yeah we have youth day , womans day we now want Mens day too. At this stage not a lot of work is done in SA, it is strike season now.

  • 20

    # 17 Piet

    Tks πŸ˜€ “chicks” day ? Do we get presents or something ? Cos if it does not involve breakfast in bed & a present I am not interested ! πŸ˜†

    # 18 SB
    “knowing” each other through & through – it is where the beautiful synergy comes from … so go ahead & wax lyrical πŸ˜€

    You used to see it in some of the old ABs teams (Cullen, Marshall, Spencer & co) – when they would look one way & pass the other or chuck it between their legs … they just “knew” their mate would be in the right place at the right time to catch the ball.

    Could not help but smile at seeing big Vics face split from ear to ear with that grin – that kind of joy is simply infectious πŸ˜€

  • 21

    Howzit everyone! Hey Pete, if you want to put up an article send it to me…or let RP do it to my work email. She has that address..can’t access my private email address here!

  • 22

    Koos

    I dont want to risk getting you in trouble at work πŸ˜₯

  • 23

    ps : More you πŸ˜€

  • 24

    MWahahahahaaa !

    I just got a warning from WordPress “You are posting comments too quickly please slow down” πŸ˜†

  • 25

    I’ll do it now during my ‘lunch hour’…tis ok.

  • 26

    #24 Must be the public holiday…suppose to take it slowly…

  • 27

    How is the new job ?

  • 28

    Fine thanks, left on my own very quickly but not complaining.

  • 29

    More more more! Hoe gaan dit vanmore?
    Morning your highness!
    Nice holiday over here today!

  • 30

    29.More skoonpa.

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