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'This is not soccer' - Aaron Smith criticised for milking play against the spirit of the game
All Black halfback has been in sublime form in Super Rugby Aotearoa but his actions have come under the microscope after ‘pulling a hollywood’.
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With Blues prop Karl Tu’inukuafe trying to get out of the way, Aaron Smith took off from the base of the ruck and ‘tripped’ over the big man who happened to be in an offside position.
As play unfolded, two passes later Blues flanker snatched a long pass and ran 70-metres the other way to score under the posts. After some incessant badgering to the ref, the TMO was called to take a look at the play involving Smith.
As a result, the Blues try was rubbed out and the Highlanders were awarded a penalty.
Smith’s role in milking the situation was widely condemned online, led by former All Black prop Wyatt Crockett who said it was ‘not in the spirt of the game’. Other fans were livid, calling the decision ‘disgraceful’ and ‘bulls***’.
Wyatt Crockett on Aaron Smith: "Aaron's basically pulling a Hollywood to milk his team a penalty, and that's not in the spirit of our game"
Yours please … #HIGvBLU
— Andrew Gourdie (@AndrewGourdie) August 2, 2020
I have seen some bad decisions in Super Rugby , but this is the worst ever – just pure grubbery from Aaron Smith. #HIGvBLU absolutely 💯 try
— Joel (@_J0EL_) August 2, 2020
He has milked that for all it's worth. This has to be a try #HIGvBLU
— Guy Heveldt (@GuyHeveldt) August 2, 2020
The problem with ruling that no try is you reward a guy for the kind of BS we fight so hard to keep out of rugby.#HIGvBLU https://t.co/O0LQnbMtOP
— Ryan Nixon (@NewYorkNixon) August 2, 2020
That's an absolutely disgraceful call from the refs there. Where's he meant to go!? He's tried to get out of the way…. #HIGvBLU
— Marco Polo (@sepo_efc) August 2, 2020
That's stupid – ref makes the call that Smith milked it. TMO review proves ref correct yet they rule penalty? #HIGvBLU
— BOP Mafia (@bopmafia) August 2, 2020
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That is a disgraceful call. @Te_Nug has played a blinder by tripping over thin air 2 feet away from Karl, and the ref has bitten hook, line and sinker. A 10 point play in games these tight are not okay. #HIGvBLU
— Scott (@ThievinBandito) August 2, 2020
https://twitter.com/littlesteve/status/1289776474359123968
Absolute bullshit call. #HIGvBLU
— Ruth Thielke (@sillymidoff) August 2, 2020
This is not soccer #HIGvBLU
— vertigo (@vertigodss) August 2, 2020
https://twitter.com/BwahaDenise/status/1289777054070669312
BS man! Aaron getting away with his tricks again 🙄 #HIGvBLU
— Déna (@datkiwideens) August 2, 2020
https://twitter.com/benjavert/status/1289776576234549249
Rival Hurricanes halfback TJ Perenara is renown for throwing passes into backtracking runners or feigning difficulty getting the ball when players are trapped on the wrong side of the ruck but Smith’s obvious and forced acting was something that is usually seen on a football field.
The momentum swing didn’t impact the game as the Blues were able to strike a little while later through halfback Finlay Christie to take a 24-18 lead at halftime, before racing ahead 32-16 early in the second half.
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Comments on RugbyPass
One of the best the Boks have ever produced. PSDT has an engine that goes non-stop for the full 80 min.
4 Go to commentsThe real deal.
4 Go to commentsIt’s been said that Nienaber will head back to SA too before next World Cup , hoarding all the amazing IP gained in Irish system … get a grip … Irish system needs to Milk the likes of Barrett . First time a leading all Black in his prime has gone to Ireland for any period of time . Enjoy it .
20 Go to comments20 min RC is the only good solution of a bunch of bad solutions. Ridiculous that it has taken this long and caused so many uneven contests. In general these are all very good changes - one is surprised that NH brokers were able to see sense at long last.
7 Go to comments“While a red card will mean a temporary team disadvantage, the replacement system will focus punishment on the offending player instead of disrupting the game itself.” This might work for amateur rugby, where players just want to be on the pitch for as long as possible, but hopefully we’ve got to a point where top level professionals care about the success of their team much more than about whether they personally are on the pitch or not.
7 Go to commentsa lot of focus on the targeting of south africa, but aspects of this are positive. The croc roll; the offside law; and time limits on set pieces are all good. calling for a mark off kick offs is baffling, but I guess we’ll see how it plays out in practice
24 Go to commentsSpeeding the game up is great, but I think we will find that the increase in viewership this year mostly comes down to the competition being more competitive…the fall of the Crusaders has been a boon for viewership. This should be at the heart of super rugby changes - how to make the comp more even
23 Go to commentsThe fact that the press were largely to blame for his taking a break is nothing short of disgusting. He’s made a few mistakes but difficult to name a player of any substance who gives it a full go hasn’t also made mistakes? On behalf of a large number of Bokke fans, bring back Farrell !!!!!
1 Go to commentsPSTD is a fantastic flanker. He could benefit from a bit of self-promotion / flair and he is not quite the danger man that Ardie is. That said, he is my 1st pick to build a backrow around. His speed and hustle made up for Duane who got quite a bit slower at the 8.
4 Go to commentssurprised, disco lights haven't been banned by world rugby board
24 Go to commentsToo many changes. Too often. I’m tired of this WR administration. How do we vote these fockers out? Bill needs to go.
24 Go to commentsDu Toit, 2 time W.Cup winner yet rarely mentioned a “Great “…if one looks back on his stellar carrier perhaps someone will one day elevate him to “Richie” status…a quiet, polite yet devastating loose forward that knew action speaks louder than words..
4 Go to commentsI like the offside rule, but this won't affect my team because all their kicks gets chased and that putts everyone on side. Lekker manne!
24 Go to comments20 minute Red Card is untenable. If you don’t punish the whole team, coaches won’t be sufficently incentivised to pick players with, or coach better tackle technique.
7 Go to commentsI can only think of One time ever a team has opted for a scrum from a free kick… Why the law change I wonder
24 Go to commentsYeah, its not going to work. But we see you World Rugby.
24 Go to commentsLove the reaction after last 2 W.Cups re rule changes…maybe good for more for more of a “ league” type running game( which I personally don’t like) but seems Rassie is definitely in ther heads…
24 Go to commentsGreat. More unwanted changes. Because these always work out well.
24 Go to commentsI’m sure South Africa’s opponents will rejoice at World Rugby minimising one of the Boks’ most potent weapons, but you just know Rassie is cooking something up with free-kicks that no-one else has thought of. Let them play checkers. Rassie’s playing chess. 😂
24 Go to commentsAfter a fairly simple Pac4, the BFs will find out a lot about themselves in September when they face the rampaging RedRoses at Twickenham in front of a record crowd. After that they will face them again in Canada in WXV1. They also have France to contend with. Will be interesting to see what Australia have to offer with Jo Yapp at the helm.
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