Rugby videos of tackles, tries, funny incidents and more: Andy Powell hit on IRB Player of the Year 2010, Richie McCaw

Thursday, December 02, 2010

Andy Powell hit on IRB Player of the Year 2010, Richie McCaw

Since the weekend we've learnt two things. One is that Richie McCaw has been named IRB Player of the Year again, and the second is that Welsh flanker Andy Powell was not cited for his high shot on the All Blacks captain.

The latter has surprised many as it looked by all accounts to be somewhat of cheapshot, a swinging arm that connected with McCaw’s jaw, flooring him unceremoniously. Somehow the ref and his two assistants missed the incident, as did the citing officer.

McCaw, clearly shaken, took a while but shrugged off the knock in typical fashion before giving Powell a bit of a death stare. If you look carefully you can see Powell indicating that it wasn’t high, but the video seems to indicate otherwise.

As brought up by New Zealand commentator Grant Nisbett, a year ago Dan Carter made a tackle against Wales that wasn’t quite as bad, but he was treated like a criminal, booed by the fans at the Millennium Stadium and vilified in the press afterwards.

Powell dodged a bullet on this one somehow, with referee Alan Lewis only signalling a scrum for the McCaw knock-on as he dropped the ball in the hit.

The consummate professional that he is, the All Black captain got on with things, leading his side to the Grand Slam win and since having taken a well deserved IRB Player of the Year award. He probably shouldn't have got it last year, but this time around there aren’t too many other players who can rightly challenge for the honour.

Do you agree with the award, and what are your thoughts on the tackle going unpunished?

Time: 01:23

The Dan Carter tackle on Martin Roberts that is mentioned above is included in the related links below the video

By GMC, at December 02, 2010 1:38 pm
I would say he hit him on the chin

By martin-offload, at December 02, 2010 1:38 pm
That's a wrestling move!! Cant believe he didn't get cited...

By Anonymous, at December 02, 2010 1:40 pm
citing is bullshit, we all know this. one rule for islanders and french, other rules for everyone else.

as for mccaw's player of the year, just as bullshit as last year. Yes, he's the greatest 7 to have ever played the game, but he's not been the standout player from the past two years.

By Anonymous, at December 02, 2010 1:43 pm
This years award is probably deserved...Not only did he cheat bloody well (and get away with umpteen warnings not to do it again) but he actually played some pretty good rugger this season...UNLIKE last year when he was injured for half the season AND STILL won the award...

"The IRB and the ABs sitting in a tree...K.I.S.S.I.N.G...First comes love (Richie)...then comes Marriage (Paddy O'Brian)...then comes the William Webb Ellis Trophy...MuhHahahahaaahaaa!!"

By Anonymous, at December 02, 2010 1:45 pm
Lets get Bakkies to headbud Powell!!

By Anonymous, at December 02, 2010 1:46 pm
To the McCaw haters, who deserved it more than him this year?? That's what I thought.

By Laz, at December 02, 2010 1:49 pm
Richie: Listen Paddy that Andy Powell really really hurt me! I want to see a citing ok?

POB: Sorry ma booi but you might have to suck this one up. Along with all the protection i've afforded you and all the IRB awards nominations...I'm getting a bit concerned that people are catching on the fact that your my illegitimate son...

Richie: Wait WHAT!?!?

POB: Oh! Sorry...did i say that out aloud?...Well..I...I...thought you had an inkling already...I mean all these years i've been looking out for you...sniff...like a father! I was going to wait and tell you when you took your rightful place among the world cup winning captains of all time and lifted the WC trophy...but...what the hell...Yes, Richie...I am YOUR FAAAASHER!

Richie: (dialing cellphone and running out office) Yeah..Graham...it's me. Listen, that idiot Paddy just dropped a bomb shell on me...So i'm on my way over...Can you ask your wife to sleep in the guest room again...I really need a snuggle and a shoulder to cry on...and make sure my bunny foo foo is there! ...... Screw YOU Andy Powell...Screw You!!

By Anonymous, at December 02, 2010 1:49 pm
cant believe he got away with that !!! definately high and malicious, because he easily coulda tackle lower (legs or belly), he just chose the cheap shot option,

By Luxi, at December 02, 2010 1:51 pm
Patently ridiculous that it wasn't cited or that the ref on the day didn't penalise it.

By granite, at December 02, 2010 1:57 pm
I love New Zealand commentary about the incident!!

By Anonymous, at December 02, 2010 1:58 pm
Last years award was not deserved. this years though i thought he did deserve it. played good rugby and if you can cheat and get away like with it like he can then as far as im concerned let him keep going. this is coming from an irish supporter not an AB's one!!

By creggs08, at December 02, 2010 2:01 pm
Keiron Read deserved it more I feel. Richie had a good year though so don't hold it against him. How De Preez or Bod didn't win it last year we will never know so I was expecting a bolter this year too. Stephen Donald? Tom Palmer? Adi Jacobs?

Does anyone know who won try of the year?

By Anonymous, at December 02, 2010 2:01 pm
How can the kiwi's complain ? yeah might of been a cheap shot but go back to the lions tour when O'Driscoll got speared by Mealamu and Umaga, far worse and they didn't get cited !!!

By Anonymous, at December 02, 2010 2:02 pm
It was high and should have been cited. But it wasn't malicious as the professional victims in the NZ commentary box seem to believe.

By murph, at December 02, 2010 2:06 pm
I love the 'impartial' NZ commentary, who are absolutely convinced, no doubts in their mind (since they obviously read Andy Powell's mind) that there is malice in the shot here!!!

By Alexander, at December 02, 2010 2:06 pm
Pocock should have got the award for sure

By Anonymous, at December 02, 2010 2:08 pm
Pocock was a better #7 this year.

By murph, at December 02, 2010 2:09 pm
How did the ref not see that!!???He was 5 feet from the hit! I love the Kiwi commentators..."and Powell hasn't even shown any remorse"......ha ha deserved a citing and yellow

McCaw also deserved it for cheating generally...in mitigation

By jm, at December 02, 2010 2:11 pm
The issue I had with the Dan Carter tackle was that it was essentially a professional foul because Martin Roberts was about 15m from the ABs line and Carter was one of the last remaining defenders (if not the last) and the score was very tight at that stage.

I am as surprised that Powell hasn't been cited as the O'Driscoll spear tackle.

By ieu, at December 02, 2010 2:13 pm
richies tha man anyway its algud in his head he would of been thinking "whatever powell ya rookie! " he doesnt deserve to be on the same field as the great man himself ...shot bro

By Anonymous, at December 02, 2010 2:14 pm
holy shittttt!! Goodnight sweetheart.

Richie McCaw - awesome player but couldn't have happened to a nicer guy - although he doesn't do anything of that nature - he bends the rules round corners.

By Bradders, at December 02, 2010 2:15 pm
powell new he was going in high, didn't avoid doing anything else with it so that has to be seen as malicious. definately should have been at least a yellow, possibly red. can't believe no-one spotted that.

By Unknown, at December 02, 2010 2:15 pm
The names people are throwing around as better deserving for player of the year are hilarious. McCaw has been consistently excellent and has captained his nation to a tri nations championship and british grandslam.

If Quade Cooper had carried his super 14 form into both the tri nations and autumn internationals he might have been in with a shout as he was one of the very few that have been outstanding in club rugby this year. But he didn't and his teams didn't win anything.

By Jack, at December 02, 2010 2:16 pm
The most biased commentators I've ever heard!

By J, at December 02, 2010 2:16 pm
yeh pococks good but richie always seemed to be more around the try scoring opportunities, i like pocock but richie just a bit more efficent when it counted

By Anonymous, at December 02, 2010 2:18 pm
A blatant bit of foul play which was ignored by officials... now the All Blacks fan can get a feel for what the rest of us have had to put up with.

By ChinUp, at December 02, 2010 2:19 pm
Oh how original to mention Brian O'Driscoll. Never heard it before. That was 5 1/2 years. Half a lifetime ago for you if the intelligence of your post is indicative of your age.

Just to clarify how this works for you. The two incidents are completely unrelated. Appraise each incident on its own merits. You know, like a grown up.

By Adrian, at December 02, 2010 2:20 pm
that tackle should result in a suspension for sure, just look at the way that he held his arm back just long enough to ram it into McCaw's neck. Citing in rugby has now become a farce - Carter gets a one week suspension for a tackle that he apologized for and yet this guy gets off scot free for a malicious tackle?

By Anonymous, at December 02, 2010 2:24 pm
1) Shit happens.

2) Dan Carter's tackle last time killed the attacking chance for wales and should have been a yellow card etc. He didn't get sin binned. Shit happens.

3) The Kiwi's consider themselves to be untouchable. If something happens to your players don't go pontificating this and that. Learn to live with things not going your way, it happens every four years anyway.

4) You can tell that a person from the southern hemisphere runs this website. He is so biased it's repulsive

By God, at December 02, 2010 2:25 pm
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA @ the commentators. Heaven forbid one of their players should get hurt in a game of Rugby.

By Anonymous, at December 02, 2010 2:30 pm
Chinup

curious what terrible bits of foul play would you be meaning (apart form BOD of course).

Are you referring to
Grewcock kicking Dan Carter in the head
or
Grewcock kicking Anton Oliver in the head twice
or
Grewcock biting
or
Shaw punching Mealamu in the head (15 stitches)
or
Hartley elbowing McCaw in the face
or
Johnson clouting Justin Marshall
or (going back a bit further)
Dean Richards stomping on Frank Bunce's face (48 stitches, promoted to captain for the next match)

The All Blacks do not have a monopoly on dirt. There is plenty to go around.

By Adrian, at December 02, 2010 2:31 pm
After some of the ridiculous citings that have happened this year for this not to get anything is just plain wrong, the fact that powell seems to be bragging about it strait afterwards doesnt help his case either.
On another note keiran reid was my pick for player of the year, he took his game to a completely new level, getting around the field like a 7 whilst running like a 8.
Had my doubts when he first started playing at 8 as my thoughts were that a 8 should be more of a jerome kaino, jerry collins type but reid has changed my mind on the matter.
And to the guy thinking carters was worse, you are out of your mind, carters went in hard and happened to clip a man who was already on his way down, nothing at all malicious in it.

By Anonymous, at December 02, 2010 2:33 pm
ChinUp said...
"A blatant bit of foul play which was ignored by officials... now the All Blacks fan can get a feel for what the rest of us have had to put up with."

Well said man! very well said!

By Anonymous, at December 02, 2010 2:33 pm
As a welshman that was so embarrasing, cheap and pointless. Powell can be a fucking idiot.

By David, at December 02, 2010 2:34 pm
What's the big deal - Powell went high and got away with it, it happens! The best thing though is Richie picked himself up dusted himself off and got on with the game - how many other players would seriously do the same? Play acting is creeping into the glorious game and this was a fine example of suck it up and play on.

Citing shouldn't come into this, its not an eye rake or stamping on somebodies head (which might get missed by the ref). People are all too keen to call for the citing commissioner, let's keep it for the really dangerious incidents, otherwise, what's the point?!

As for Richie winning, I agree with that, he's been very impressive this year (once again) and I can't really think of anybody else who deserves it - as a Scot I would say Dan Parks but if I were being serious I wouldnt even be able to look at myself in the mirror!

By Anonymous, at December 02, 2010 2:36 pm
Though it is true Carters shot last year pretty much killed the welsh attack.

(we could actually score tries last year, WOW i know!)

By David, at December 02, 2010 2:37 pm
they was booing at carter because it was in our own stadium we're not going to boo our own player are we?

By your nan, at December 02, 2010 2:38 pm
HEY NEW ZEALAND! GET OVER IT!

By Anonymous, at December 02, 2010 2:41 pm
Congratulations to McCheat: player of the year 2010

By Bakkies Botha, at December 02, 2010 2:41 pm
biased kiwi commentators, but powell was definetly high. He should have been penalised.

Concerning the IRB award, i'm a bit surprised.
Mac Caw is a wonderful player and captain who have lead AB's to many victories this year.
But i would have given it to Harinordoquy who have been just absolutely enormous during the 9 first months with France and Biarritz.

I think the french crash against australia and the AB's slam have decided the award..

By Flooz, at December 02, 2010 2:43 pm
Quade Cooper was also excellent druring the whole year

By Flooz, at December 02, 2010 2:45 pm
Cite Andy Powell? What planet do you live on? The citing system was created to punish South African players.

By Bas Horneman, at December 02, 2010 2:48 pm
biased kiwi commentators

You should have heard what Jonathan Davies had to say about it

By Adrian, at December 02, 2010 2:50 pm
Bakkies Botha said...

lean year for bakkies though - all the suspensions meant he only had time put in two flying headbutts this season

By Anonymous, at December 02, 2010 2:52 pm
Silly cheap shot by Powell...but at least he wrapped his arms (albeit around McCaw's neck)...

But seriously it looked pretty malicious to me so he should be cited. On a seperate note and I say this as an England supporter, the Carter tackle was a professional foul and had a major impact on the result. I would like to have seen both players yellow carded and Powell getting a couple of weeks to sit on the bench and contemplate his stupidity thereafter.

McCaw player of the year - last year I thought he was underserving. This year maybe although Pocock has been excellent and Quade Cooper oustanding too (much as I hate to day it). How about young player of the year? For England it would have to be Ben Youngs...

What about young player of the year for the other international teams?

By NiWiTa, at December 02, 2010 2:57 pm
No particular complaints with McCaw's player of the year award - consistently outstanding in a NZ team that went unbeaten through the 3N then completed a Grand Slam.

Nisbo and friends got a bit excited by the hit, but it was high and dangerous and should have been a penalty. That said, high shots haven't been routinely cited recently, Delon Armitage got away with a bad one in the England-NZ game, I guess the IRB has its reasons but as ever they are making a rod for their own back.

By edbok, at December 02, 2010 2:57 pm
Definitely high, horrible tackle. Deserved a ban. But.....y'know. Any personal sympathy you have for McCaw is clouded somewhat by those terribly biased commentators and the fact that he seems to always being told off by refs but never given a card. Still it was really nasty and i hate to see that on a rugby feld.

I don't know if he deserved World player award this year but some of the performances i saw by him were class.

However after winning it last year i thought they'd have given it to someone like Lewis Moody or Mick O'Driscoll or Allan Jacobsen or Bryan Habana or someone else who didn't do anything majorly impressive during the year.....

By Third Centre, at December 02, 2010 3:00 pm
Love the reaction of the Kiwi commentators considering they were quiet during Mealamu´s headbutt. Then again we shouldn´t bring up any other dirty incidents as this pisses off the Kiwi´s.

Dont care much for McCaw but this should have baan cited atleast. Dont know if malice was intended. This type of thing happens in a rugby game.

This puts a dent in my whol¨IRB All Blacks are in cahoots¨ story. Then again the 5th anonymous comment explained the reason behind the non citing perfectly.

By Copperhead, at December 02, 2010 3:01 pm
One rule for French? They're in the same boat as everyone else but they're more cowardly and / or dirty. Trying to take someone's eye out should be a life ban, they went soft on them.

By Anonymous, at December 02, 2010 3:09 pm
Haters gon hate!

Richie "Tackles" McCaw FTW

By OldBean, at December 02, 2010 3:15 pm
Powell timed it just right, held his arm back, then threw it into McCaw's throat, no attempt to wrap or tackle. Definitely should have been a citing, and a cheap shot by a lesser player. Kudos to McCaw for getting on with it and not whining though. But the IRB not citing Powell or Hartley? Come on.

By Douglas, at December 02, 2010 3:20 pm
Don't understand how that wasn't cited. Maybe the NZ commentators were slightly over the top, but I agree with them. Game was pretty much over. Powell went straight for the head, probably just with frustration, but it was malicious none the less.

Gotta commend Richie for how he acts after.

By KG, at December 02, 2010 3:26 pm
bad cheap shot, same as sam whitelock in the same game though cant say powell deserves citing and not include whitelock.
in the wales fiji game there were about 10 high shots like this that went unpunished.
no argueing that he is a great player, and deserves an award for getting away with so much.

By mat, at December 02, 2010 3:48 pm
Should have been a citing and a card. End of debate. This is not about O'Driscoll getting broken, which should have also been a citing.
Pathetic people one here who probably don't play rugby.

By Anonymous, at December 02, 2010 3:59 pm
Powel isn't samoan that's why he's not cited^^

By Anonymous, at December 02, 2010 4:16 pm
I don't know what is worse in these comments - the bias or some of the spelling. Man alive...

By oneeyedcanessupprter, at December 02, 2010 4:17 pm
I think the Kiwi commentators deserve a citing more than Powell! LOL

Have you ever heard a more biased bunch of whingers....and they can tell form the tackle that there was intent, malice and no remorse! Talented fellows...

By mike, at December 02, 2010 4:25 pm
He got player of the year again?

Ridiculous.

Matfield really stood out this year, I felt. And I don't even like the Boks...

Kieran Read was also up there.

By good grief, at December 02, 2010 4:27 pm
The local (Welsh - Jonathan Davies) commentary was just as scathing. Called for a yellow and a citing, and even said the word 'CHEAPSHOT'. So the Kiwis arent all that bad.

By Laz, at December 02, 2010 4:29 pm
It was high should have carded but wasnt, citing didnt see it.
Ok now get over it.
Guess what in life as in sports shit happens, pick your self up and move on. Do you see McCaw complaining about it?? No.
I read the comments on here and sometimes and wonder if you are all adults or 5 year old kids, bringing up incidents that happened years ago.
Its RUGBY grow some f'n balls people.

By Adakins, at December 02, 2010 4:49 pm
whoever said that mccaw lead nz to a brittish grand slam, forgoot to mention ireland too!

By Anonymous, at December 02, 2010 4:56 pm
A few points people should note:

The first mention of the BOD spear incident was by an 'Anonymous'

The next mention of BOD if i saw correctly, was in regard to IRB player of the year 2009 and 'how du preez or bod didnt get it in 2009 is beyond me' (or words to that effect)

As for IRB POTY 2010 i saw only 1 name mentioned for 2010 (Pocock) before someone said 'the names flying around for 2010 award are hilarious...)

There was ONE NAME mentioned....

So anyway, onto this....I'd agree Richie deserved it this year...(both the award and the hit) :P
But with many others im lost to why he got it last year...

Honestly though as for the hit, it was ridiculous, i think everyone here, welsh or otherwise can agree powell deserved a yellow minimum and as for lack of citing its awful...

However....how mealamu got a reduced sentence is also beyond me....

All in all i'd say anyone who says different is a troll...i dont believe opinions can vary on this whole incident (obviously IRB awards will vary greatly)

By (u-p)rick, at December 02, 2010 5:08 pm
"One rule for French? They're in the same boat as everyone else but they're more cowardly and / or dirty. Trying to take someone's eye out should be a life ban, they went soft on them."

Did Burger and Dylan Hartley get a life ban? No. Did they get a much lighter ban than some French players for the same offence? Yes.
Thanks, 'night.

By Dalma, at December 02, 2010 5:36 pm
i love a nice un biased comentary team! good work NZ

By jamie stothard, at December 02, 2010 5:42 pm
Disgusting tackle and like a lot of people here, showing a lot of frustration (and that's putting it mildly...)

That tackle should've been cited and even though Mealamu's ban should not have been reduced, two wrongs do not make one right.

As Jonathan Davies said, it was a cheap shot and there's no place for it in the game. Look at the size of those professionals these days. I was amazed to see McCaw get up and get on with it.

That there would be a heated debate on the IRB POTY, was to be expected. But for so many people, who claim to love rugby (why else would you be on this site) to act like this towards one of the best players ever, is downright sad.

By Sander, at December 02, 2010 5:56 pm
the dan carter tackle was poorly recieved because martin roberts was breaking through towards the line after some great player earlier on in the move, not that powells tackle was legal by any means, thats just why there is a difference in how the crowd and media reacted

By owen, at December 02, 2010 6:03 pm
"By short time I hope you realise it was 5/6 minutes. He came on with absolutely no time left and when the game was effectively up (barring Kearney's try)."

If you want a place on a National side you can't just let your defense go in the last few minutes, particularly when the game is that close.

"KG whats your point? I'd have thought the nickname would give away 'trollin' the fact you had to point it out doesnt do your intellect much good....  ....as for scotland...yeup they are/were down in the dumps...they have never won a 6 nations...which came in 10 years ago, however every other year there is a bit of an improvement, and have won a few 5 nations tournaments (6N predecessor).....  So like I said if Arg>Sco but Sco>SA then Arg>SA therefore they should be in the 3N... :)  However....to not be a troll for once, one up point about including Arg in the 3N is that there will be no 'rest' period for certain teams...every year there is 1 team which has a series of games, whilst another has a big rest to recouperate...however if arg are included then we'll see 2 games in 1 weekend, followed by 2 games the next weekend...etc.."

Sometimes you post seriously (this post for example), sometimes you don't. Sometimes you make stupid posts which could be good trolling or stupid posting. Whatever my intellect, pointing something out wouldn't actually make my intellect better or worse.

The argument isn't really about Scotland. I am just saying that Argentina would be better able to compete in the 6 Nations.

I do see your point. There would be disadvantages and advantages obviously. I just think that Argentina would be better able to develop by playing teams closer to their level. By playing in the 6 Nations they would have teams below, at and above (some further above than others, but this varies greatly from year to year) their current level instead of playing 3 oppositions way above their current level. And I don't like seeing whipping boys in tournaments. Italy are the current whipping boys in the 6N and Argentina would be the whipping boys in the 3N.

Ire>Arg but SA>Ire then SA>Arg... :) 

By KG, at December 02, 2010 6:03 pm
Whoops

By KG, at December 02, 2010 6:04 pm
I thought when I read 'hit', it would be a tackle, not a God damned clothesline.

Although it's a bit rich for the New Zealand commentators to make a big deal out of it.

Deserving player of the year by the way, but after last year's idiotic decision, I don't have much faith in that award.

By Kearney for tests, at December 02, 2010 6:20 pm
"Did Burger and Dylan Hartley get a life ban? No. Did they get a much lighter ban than some French players for the same offence? Yes.
Thanks, 'night."

It isn't as simple as finger touches eye = X week ban. There is a difference between trying to pop a players eyeball (Attoub) and sticking your fingers in the eye, although both are disgraceful. As for Depuy, he went once for Ferris' eyes, looked for the referee and then tried again once he knew the referee couldn't see (when Ferris was in a weakened position). Complete cowardice and thuggery. Both Depuy and Attoub should be out of the game for life.

What's also disgraceful is how the Stade Francais staff spat on the photographer who captured Attoub's gouge. Not only that, they claimed he doctored the pictures. That had the potential to severely damage that man's career. Luckily, the IRB had the photos examined.

I'm not going to try and change your opinion because if you can't tell the difference between the cases, clearly your bias overpowers your common sense.

By KG, at December 02, 2010 6:21 pm
wasn't any worse than brad thorn's hit on hook earlier on in the game these kiwis sure do whine a lot

By Anonymous, at December 02, 2010 6:31 pm
BOD was the biggest bitch after the 2005 incident. McCaw got up and got on with it - thats the difference.

Oh yeah, the panel selecting IRB player of the year consisted of: Will Greenwood, Gavin Hastings, Raphaël Ibanez, Francois Pienaar, Agustín Pichot, Scott Quinnell, Tana Umaga, Paul Wallace and convenor John Eales.

You bitches doubting the award think your opinion is more important than their collective one??

No, didn't think so.

By running rugby, at December 02, 2010 6:42 pm
As always, northern folks doing as they please

By Lucas, at December 02, 2010 6:43 pm
"BOD was the biggest bitch after the 2005 incident. McCaw got up and got on with it - thats the difference."

Can't believe BOD didn't play on with that dislocated shoulder. What a bitch.

By Anonymous, at December 02, 2010 7:07 pm
POCOCK????? Dont make me laugh. Hes a slow lumbering tool.

You idiots clearly know nothing about rugby if you think the newbie Pocock had a better year than McCaw.

fools.

By Anonymous, at December 02, 2010 7:30 pm
Also you douchebags slagging the commentary in that video .go fk yourself.

I didnt hear one single word the commentators made about that cheapshot that was biased or wrong.

They called it exactly as it was.

By Anonymous, at December 02, 2010 7:35 pm
"Also you douchebags slagging the commentary in that video .go fk yourself.

I didnt hear one single word the commentators made about that cheapshot that was biased or wrong.

They called it exactly as it was."

Only because it was their beloved Richie taking the hit. Wonder if their commentary disagreed with every penalty given against McCaw and other such incidents? Probably.

By Anonymous, at December 02, 2010 8:08 pm
IMO i think he just went in for the big hit, dont think he ment to catch him high, definate penalty tho maybe a yellow or citing

By Anonymous, at December 02, 2010 8:21 pm
jeez, theres a lot of people with a beef against the ABs. I guess that happens when you smash their favourite teams year in year out :-)

By olwakachangchang, at December 02, 2010 8:38 pm
McCheat's an excellent flanker, no doubt, probably best ever in his position, and surely best ever at bending the rules. But in this year's Tri Nation, I really thought Pocock and Kurtley Beale had bigger impacts.. I think it was hard to give the award to an Aussie when Australia didn't win.. But then again it's an individual award, so yeah, Pocock should have won. He's pretty much gonna have McCaw's career, if not even better.

By Anonymous, at December 02, 2010 8:43 pm
Haha whinging Northern Hemishpere supporters.....oh no little old New Zealand beat us again, lets bitch about them.....waa waa waa.
Grow a pair.

By Anonymous, at December 02, 2010 8:53 pm
Deffo was high and should have been cited..........buuut its nice to see the all blacks on the end of a cheap shot as they are the kings of cheating! trust a kiwi commentator to throw a spanner in the works by saying there was 'malice' involved, f#ck off will you haha

By NPT rugby league, at December 02, 2010 8:54 pm
cheater got what he deserved from powell :D

By tony, at December 02, 2010 9:22 pm
New Zealanders dont like it when the cheating is an them do they..... bless McCaw such a nice feller that hasnt ever cheated before couldnt happen to a nicer guy

By geordie, at December 02, 2010 10:01 pm
Quite sad how bitter most of you are! Majority of comments backing Powell. What's the world coming to.

FYI - refs are there to make sure players dont 'cheat'. Don't hate the player, hate the game.

Wonderful rugby player, and excellent leader. Would be an honour to have him on my team.

By Benson, at December 02, 2010 10:17 pm
listen to You Haters so Ricthie deserve it? wot person deserves a cheap shot like that? Thats right no player does.
Your not Rugby supporters your just a bunch of punks who have No honour or morals !!

Richie McCaw embodies wot it is to be a rugby Player, He took it on the chin like a Man he didnt bicth like some of you punks would. He got on and played hard. This autumn Richies had cheap shot, accused of cheating by inferior fools who do not understand the rules of the breakdown, but yet he puts his body on the line game after game and Im proud that he leads my Country.

To say Richie didn't deserve to be Number 1 player and he cheated his way to the top, wot does that say about the great players who choose him? like
Will Greenwood, Gavin Hastings, Raphaël Ibanez, Francois Pienaar, Agustín Pichot, Scott Quinnell, Tana Umaga, Paul Wallace and convenor John Eales they are from your country s. All I can say is grow up and learn the game.

By TheMightyAB's, at December 02, 2010 10:26 pm
listen to You Haters so Ricthie deserve it? wot person deserves a cheap shot like that? Thats right no player does.
Your not Rugby supporters your just a bunch of punks who have No honour or morals !!

Richie McCaw embodies wot it is to be a rugby Player, He took it on the chin like a Man he didnt bicth like some of you punks would. He got on and played hard. This autumn Richies had cheap shot, accused of cheating by inferior fools who do not understand the rules of the breakdown, but yet he puts his body on the line game after game and Im proud that he leads my Country.

To say Richie didn't deserve to be Number 1 player and he cheated his way to the top, wot does that say about the great players who choose him? like
Will Greenwood, Gavin Hastings, Raphaël Ibanez, Francois Pienaar, Agustín Pichot, Scott Quinnell, Tana Umaga, Paul Wallace and convenor John Eales they are from your country s. All I can say is grow up and learn the game.

By TheMightyAB's, at December 02, 2010 10:26 pm
I live in a minnow country. One that seems to be going downhill. In any case, I rarely get to root for my own team, so for a long while I watched games and highlights to try and see which team I liked the best in regards to clean play, flair, and overall energy and talent, even if I got upset with their performance.

That team sure as hell isn't the All Blacks. They are by far the dirtiest team I've seen, and it gives me a great sense of schauden freude to see their fans get all uptight when referees or citing commissions get lenient on other teams for a change. After watching the Tri Nations this year (first time with full games) I'm beginning to think that referees come quite cheap, and wonder why no one else bothers to pay them. OH WAIT, it's probably because they'd like to win without having to resort to something like that.

I should say that in no way am I condoning what Powell did, and even I feel a citing should've arisen, if not an on-the-spot card. But he's an idiot anyway. I mean, Google a picture of him; does he look like an intelligent man? Remember Duane Vermeulen? Somehow Andy gets away with things too.

As for player of the year, Read deserved it more. But I can think of a bunch of people who certainly deserve it, like Drew Mitchell or Dan Parks (who really manned-up recently), or even Matfield, etc. And what the hell was with last year?

By Bronson, at December 02, 2010 10:32 pm
We've got years to go to see whether Pocock develops into a McCaw-caliber player. Will he be the best player for a decade in his position? Will he have an unbelievable run as a captain of his national side? Once the answers to those questions are "Yes" -- then we can compare the 2. Until then, we can't.

By Anonymous, at December 02, 2010 10:46 pm
"BOD was the biggest bitch after the 2005 incident. McCaw got up and got on with it - thats the difference."

I was going to reply to above, until I saw this:

'Can't believe BOD didn't play on with that dislocated shoulder. What a bitch.'

As for:
'Haha whinging Northern Hemishpere supporters.....oh no little old New Zealand beat us again, lets bitch about them.....waa waa waa.
Grow a pair.'

Interesting 'Anonymous,' your comment doesn't quite follow suit with what anyone has said....I don't think anyone has justified Powells hit (apart from I think 1 person) and generally there are a lot of potential grudge holders against the AB's not just the NH teams....

By (u-p)rick, at December 02, 2010 10:48 pm
McCaw got it again! No way,this is shit. All blacks sucking up the thumbs of IRB.

Last year he shouldnt even have been nominated,this year he played good but not the best.

My bet was on Pocock or Matfield.
Matfield was terrific all year with a struggling team.His line-outs was great as expected but he scored some marvelous tries aswell.

By Anonymous, at December 02, 2010 10:54 pm
Ire>Arg but SA>Ire however SA<Sco and Sco<Arg

.....therefore....a paradox?

By Resident Troll, at December 02, 2010 10:56 pm
Powell bent the rules and got away with it. NZ fans should be ok with that.

By mupee, at December 02, 2010 10:56 pm
This is typical in the Nocember tours.
The home nations get a free ride when it comes to suspensions.
You can bet if Mccaw did this to Powell there'd be hell to pay. The uk media would be hysterical and the cicting commision would ban him for weeks.
A joke.
No consistency in the citing process, the citing process is officially broken and makes no sense at all.
The IRB is a joke.

By Anonymous, at December 02, 2010 11:36 pm
And Richi did deserve the award. He is an awesome player, anyone can see that, and he is a great captain too.

By Tom, at December 02, 2010 11:37 pm
For all the UK fans whinging about Nz cheating, you lot are the biggest whingers ever.
Suck it up, you pack of princesses.
NZ win cuz they are better than you, not cuz they cheat, you myopic, terrible losers.
Try to lsoe with dignity.
For you to try to justify this is indicitive of your shitty attitude to fair play.
This deserved a citing, if the situationw as reversed you'd expect nothing less, in fact you lot would be rabid and hysterical about it.
Your rugby is worse than Nz's so you justify cheap shots and illegal play.
Learn to lose with dignity.
From an Australian supporter.

By Cheating Europeans., at December 02, 2010 11:44 pm
This has really brought the idiots out. The ignorance, hypocrisy and stupidity in some of these comments is not surprising, NZ only have to win games and play great rugby to attract this stuff. Imagine if the hit was by McCaw on Powell instead.
Powell's action was obviously illegal and intentional and no bleating on about commentators or anything else can change that. Powell's pleading that it wasn't high when the replay shows it was means he knew exactly what he'd done and that he would be in trouble, or so everybody including the Welsh commentary thought. It is astonishing that he was not cited. True rugby fans know that, the rest of you are kidding yourselves.

By secondfive, at December 02, 2010 11:49 pm
As a Welshman my answers are: Yes Powell should have been carded; yes Richie McCaw was hands down player of the year. That said...the men in black are hardly choir boys.

By Anonymous, at December 03, 2010 12:38 am
I think Richie is unbelievably talented, but I thought Muliaina should have won this year. He was absolutely OUTSTANDING this year (joint-top try scorer for example). I also think Brian O'Driscoll should have won last year. Richie McCaw is a phenomenal player and leader and I'm a DIEHARD AB's fan, but I think Brian O'Driscoll was supreme last year.

By Anonymous, at December 03, 2010 1:37 am
MacCaw is a cunt csnt stand him!! O'Connor should of won it fuck u all!!

By F u all, at December 03, 2010 1:45 am
Bakkies Botha should have won.

By Anonymous, at December 03, 2010 2:00 am
Bloody UK fans. Can't stand losing, don't want to blame their own inept and low-skill prefromances, so they cry that the All Blacks cheat.
That's such bullshit, what does that shit have to do with guys like Tovea, SBW and Gear running over the top of dozens of shitty tacklers to score tries.
That's why they win, they score more tries, you wankers.

By F off bad losers, at December 03, 2010 2:01 am
Are all these anti-uk anti-NH comments written by the same guy? Unless i've missed all comments the majority of them have referred to Powells 'hit' as a cheapshot and referred to McCaw being IRB POTY as deserved....

there have ofcourse been 'ABs are no choir boys/saints etc etc' kind of comments, which dont assume is an insult, those comments stick to any professional team....

So where has all this 'hate' come from....as stated above somewhere, people have said McCaw perhaps was not deserved of IRB POTY LAST YEAR but was this year....

And as for 'losing graciously' so what...everyone has lost to the AB's recently....the only team to beat them was Australia....and that was after an ass kicking in the tri nations....so im pretty sure NONE of the NH fans were expecting a win...more of damage control....as for the rest of the NH v SH games, well they didnt go all that well for the SH who are generally 'greater than' the NH....

By (u-p)rick, at December 03, 2010 2:42 am
As RugbyDump is run by fair-minded fellows I look forward to the videos ahowing Sam Whitelock putting Philips in a headlock and so that he can then have a shoulder rammed into his face.

There were three incidents of foul play in that match that deserved yellow cards and a citing.
Two of them were committed by NZ players and one by a Welsh player.

By Mr Lif, at December 03, 2010 2:52 am
Bronson said...
That team sure as hell isn't the All Blacks. They are by far the dirtiest team I've seen.

bollocks
RD have plenty of room so give some evidence of your opinion and how other teams are so different. Don't bother you've got nothing.

By Rolly, at December 03, 2010 3:28 am
how fast did andy powell run away!?!? hahaha effing NH bitches

By NH players suck ass, at December 03, 2010 3:33 am
This is what heppens I guess, whena team is succesful.
People turn on them, say they cheat, that they don't deserve to win awards, etc.
It's a shame people can't be gracious and give credit where it's due.
The All Blacks are curently far and away the best team in the world. They are so because of the ability and skill of their players, which is currently unmatched by any other team. They go to be the best thru hard work and ability.
Mccaw is one of the greatest players to grace the rugby field and deserves all the plaudits he gets.
He does not deserve to have lesser players like Powell head highing him.

So there, at least one person who's team has been flogged by the All Blacks this year can give credit where it is due. Anyone else want to join me?

By Bill, at December 03, 2010 4:02 am
I cant believe some of the things ive read on here. What a disgrace some of you people are! Richie McCaw is a tremendous player and probably the best captain in the world right now. He goes out there does his job, lead his team and gets on with it. ONLY REAL RUGBY SUPPORTERS will acknowledge that. Rugby is the greatest game ever, its just a pitty some of you so called 'fans' are the greatest DICKHEADS!!!

By Real rugby fan!!, at December 03, 2010 4:39 am
The thing is bill most people on here have stated McCaw DID deserve the award, and have no gripes with NZ winning, as cheating or no cheating they are head and shoulders above others at the moment......

...however a lot of 'cheat' comments are used with 'yes this was bad by powell but dont act like you guys have never committed any such crimes'

Which in my eyes is totally fair enough, we've all seen AB's get away with different incidents and recently mealamu getting a reduced sentence...i mean i dont know what he was hoping to achieve if a headbutt was not his primary goal...

HOWEVER, No one as yet has stated that powell 'DIDNT' deserve to get cited....INCLUDING welsh fans...

like I said earlier it appears that one little boy is making a huge trolling effort and causing reasonable posters to start going for each others throats...

By (u-p)rick, at December 03, 2010 5:37 am
We all know if this was any player from Samoa, Tonga or Fiji he would have been red carded and suspended pretty rat shit with the double standards but its just something islanders have to get use to unfortunately

By Anonymous, at December 03, 2010 5:54 am
Fair enough. I wasn't refering to you, btw.
The All Blacks don't cheat that much though.
At the end of the day, it shouldn't matter anyway.
It's no jsutificationa t all for Powell's actions, none at all.
It shouldn't even be mentioned, particularly as what might amount to fair critisism, revolves around a theory that NZ gives away alot of technical type, ruck penalties near their goal line.

What that has to do with blatantly illegal, potentially dangerous foul play is completely beyond me.

Anyway the point is this was bad, that's all that needs to be said, and it deserves a citing.
The citing process is broken.

By Bill, at December 03, 2010 5:55 am
Powell's tackle was pretty bad but some people are happy it happended...some people are sick.

Who are we to argue with some of the top players ever of this game we love on this award? surely they have a better knowledge and understanding of the game then us couch potatoes? Can anyone say they know what it feels like to be at the bottom of a ruck or lineout or maul in a test match and knows what it takes - I'm almost certain Will Greenwood, Gavin Hastings, Raphaël Ibanez, Francois Pienaar, Agustín Pichot, Scott Quinnell, Tana Umaga, Paul Wallace and John Eales do!Surely they have a better idea then us mortals?

By Simon, at December 03, 2010 5:59 am
I'm an NH coward who supports a shit team and I make up for it by throwing my pompous 2 cents into other peoples discussions and feeling smug with myself by thinking they care.

By (u-p)rick, at December 03, 2010 6:53 am
@(u-p)rick
– cheater got what he deserved
– they are by far the dirtiest team
– its nice to see the all blacks on the end of a cheap shot
– McCaw is a cunt
etc
Why do you see someone criticizing those comments as "hating the UK", isn't it just hating stupidity?
And we know that if the hit was the other way round the same people saying "get over it NZ" would be screaming blue murder. Like I said, hypocrisy and stupidity.
As you point out there are plenty of people who aren't idiots, I never said otherwise.

By secondfive, at December 03, 2010 6:54 am
Ahhhhhhhhhhh the South Africans. Without fail on every single vid on rugby dump that has something to do with fowl play, even if it has absolutely nothing to do with them (as is the case here) they come in with there "Cite Andy Powell? What planet do you live on? The citing system was created to punish South African players" crap. Yes you get treated harshly by the citing people but a hefty record of eye gouging, headbutts and other dirty play will do that.
And the brad thorn tackle is not even close to being similar to this tackle. Thorn was off balance and stuck out a arm which deservedly got penalised.
Powell put his whole body into that his and copped him straight on the chin

By Anonymous, at December 03, 2010 7:14 am
I have been coming to Rugby Dump for only a short time. Initially thought it would be good to have good rugby conversation with other rugby fans around the world.

However, all I have seen is childish behaviour bordering on racism coming from all sides.

Sorry guys, not interested in taking part if thats how you want to talk.

By JDG, at December 03, 2010 7:36 am
JDG....whilst i'd love to tell you otherwise...this is about as good as it gets....

rarely is there a topic where people can 'agree' or at least disagree with a healthy reason....

whilst RD is a fantastic site for videos and is a very well run site, the folloing is borderline soccer players....MY TEAM IS BETTER THAN YOUR TEAM,

EVEN YOUR BEST PLAYER WOULDN'T GET TO BE FRIENDS WITH MYYY TEAM....

THAT TRY WAS SH*T, IT WOULD BE AMAZING IF IT WAS MY TEAM, BUT ITS NOT SO ITS SH*T

...oh and recently there have been a few 'RD This is pointless get it off' kind of comments...which is rich considering its a free site (for us lot viewing!)

(also rich that all the above just came from me..)

By Resident Troll, at December 03, 2010 7:46 am
I'm english and as such I hate the convicts with a passion but i managed to watch each tri-nations games this year and the AIs and i honestly believe Pocock played consistantly better than Sir Richie. Also, high tackle, even if the refs missed it how was that not picked by the review board. There seems to have been a lot of incidents not going to the review board and no-one can figure out why.

By TFlood, at December 03, 2010 7:56 am
Got up and went on with business. That's f@cking character.

By Jeremy, at December 03, 2010 8:47 am
well Wales had to win at something didn't they?
The Gutless Award 2010. Congratulations folks; you must be so proud.

By Thailandrugbyfan, at December 03, 2010 8:51 am
Agree with you JDG, some people who post on here don't appear to have their head screwed on the right way.

For me first and foremost I love the sport of rugby and enjoy seeing it played well regardless of what nationality they may be.

By Simon7, at December 03, 2010 9:27 am
It all gets a bit depressing doesn't it.

This incident is utterly unrelated to things that have happened in the past or to accusations of cheating.

Its a basic ethical principle in a modern society that every incident should be treated on its own merits. Grown-ups don't place petty national allegiances and bigotry before that.

This was a bad one - it takes a lot of force to knock a 110 kg running man 2m sideways. Real rugby fans should despise this, as the should hate Hartley's elbow, Mealamu's headbutt and so on.

Welsh great Jonathan Davies has a greater emotional stake in this game than anyone posting here and he was clearly disgusted by Powell. Incidentally, his loudest exclamation of the night was for Kaino's monster tackle. Now that is a true rugby fan - just loving the game.

By Adrian, at December 03, 2010 11:17 am
wow, these commentators are something else. is this fanzone or something? "there's malice there!" how would you know that you imp?

By Dub in Oz, at December 03, 2010 12:04 pm
these things happen to any team, to any players. NZrs too.
Move on!

btw
I think Andy while tackling also said:
"BRING!!!!!!"

:D

By Madflyhalf, at December 03, 2010 12:31 pm
High tackle, yellow card, citing. Don't know how he got away with that. The Keith Earls 'try' against Argentina where the TMO messed up, and now this? What's going on, IRB?

By Mike, at December 03, 2010 12:38 pm
closeline?!?!

By Anonymous, at December 03, 2010 1:39 pm
i might offend wales fans but i personally think that andy powell is a liability! that tackle proves only that he is a coward and he has to use illegal hits to take someone down!! its amazing how he escaped a citing! i think the wru should like at it and provide their own ban!

By Anonymous, at December 03, 2010 1:44 pm
(u-p)rick said...
I'm an NH coward who supports a shit team and I make up for it by throwing my pompous 2 cents into other peoples discussions and feeling smug with myself by thinking they care.

Obviously not (u-p)rick posting there but even as a SH fan, I don't find his posts remotely pompous. Quite even handed actually.

By Maui, at December 03, 2010 1:54 pm
"i might offend wales fans but i personally think that andy powell is a liability! that tackle proves only that he is a coward and he has to use illegal hits to take someone down!! its amazing how he escaped a citing! i think the wru should like at it and provide their own ban!"

I agree. I like his style of play. Pure brute force and aggression. Very entertaining. Unfortunately, there's not much else to it and that in itself can be a liability.

By KG, at December 03, 2010 1:59 pm
Agreed. The Kaino and Powell hits were such mirror opposites. Kaino wants to stamp his physical presence on the game, so he lines up a 120kg 2nd rower, and executed a perfect thundering tackle: arms wrapped, head to the side.

Powell wants to stamp his presence on the game, so he cheaply throws an intentional swinging arm at McCaw.

That says all you need to know about those 2 guys.

By Anonymous, at December 03, 2010 3:42 pm
Powells hit on McCaw looks EXACTLY like Carters hit on Martin. Carter didn't get cited or penalized either so stop your bullshit whining about McCaw getting flattened. NZeelanders bunch of cry babies when they don't get unfair advantage over their opponents by the refs. No mention of the attempt to strangle Mike Phillips in the same game. Bunch of whining cry babies.

By Anonymous, at December 03, 2010 4:13 pm
@dub in oz

what else would you call a tackle where powell came in SWINGING his arm. You can see him wind up and swing for McCaw's face. McCaw didn't duck into it. Malice! Actions do sometimes speak louder than words.

Most of us can agree this should have been cited regardless of the people/teams involved.

By Stubby, at December 03, 2010 4:30 pm
at 1st i thought that was worse then what i remembered the carter tackle being but having watched both of them now again they are both extremely similar, granted carters didnt look as malicious but regardless both should have recieved a ban

By Anonymous, at December 03, 2010 4:40 pm
Anonymous and Anonymous - re: Carter v Powell.

Actually, Carter was cited and received a ban for a high covering tackle, from the side/back, on a small guy who was falling. Clumsy rather than malicious, and rightfully punished.
Powell however received no citing or ban for a controlled swinging arm into an upright (and tall) players neck directly from in front.

Given the factors, two very different tackles.

By Anonymous, at December 03, 2010 6:07 pm
Apparantly Richie said it was like being hit by a Golf Buggy !!!He show's real class in not getting involved and in just getting on with the game. As a proud Irishman I thought BoD was robbed last year of the award, but have no complaints this year. Pocock is an incredible player and if he picks up a WC medal next year then he's in contention. But McCaw is a class act.

By JD Ref, at December 03, 2010 7:02 pm
Apparantly Richie said it was like being hit by a Golf Buggy !!!He show's real class in not getting involved and in just getting on with the game. As a proud Irishman I thought BoD was robbed last year of the award, but have no complaints this year. Pocock is an incredible player and if he picks up a WC medal next year then he's in contention. But McCaw is a class act.

By JD Ref, at December 03, 2010 7:02 pm
hahaha cracks me up reading all the comments and opinions on this site. Thing is nobody in the rugby world really cares what you have to say. Bitching about the ABs every week and how your country was robbed against us wont get you wins...

By Anonymous, at December 03, 2010 7:24 pm
Rugby Dump, please tighten up on who post on the blogs. No more Anonymous they are the ones who are trolling. Only have a profile those who keep trolling will be simply band NO more games!!. All of us true rugby fans want to discuss wots happening in our beautiful game without punks putting there 2 cents in. Thanks

By TheMightyAB's, at December 03, 2010 7:45 pm
...so important my internet went funny and i felt the need to post it three times...

sorry about that...

By (u-p)rick, at December 03, 2010 9:29 pm
or apparently it didnt post at all....

By (u-p)rick, at December 03, 2010 9:32 pm
It's Pretty simple guys, you watch a clip and comment. Based on THAT clip and that clip only:
Was it high? Yes
Should it be cited? Yes
Where the commentators a little over excited? Yeah Sure

As for bringing up the BOD incident??
Did BOD get a raw deal? Yes
Was it soooo long ago, it's probably time to LET IT GO? Yes

Pockock for POTY? Was that serious?
Sure he had a great Tri-Nations and effected a lot of turnovers but McCaw topped the tackle count in the Tr-Nations, (like he always does) - The guys everywhere, he's a machine! That coupled with the fact he also captained a side that won everything on offer that year probably tipped things in his favour.

Basically; When Powell did that dirty cheap shot on him. I yelled "Don't you hurt him" and sniffed as a tear ran down my cheek.

Go the AB's!

By PB, at December 03, 2010 9:40 pm
I'm half welsh half kiwi so completely neutral as i support both teams and am a fan of both players as excellent backrow players. The fact of the matter is it's high swinging arm so he needs to citied, possibly for longer as it was late in the game and obviously a cheap shot againt the AB's captain. Plus poweels reputation precedes him so should have at least 2 weeks out of the game.

By Anonymous, at December 03, 2010 10:54 pm
Dub in Oz said... wow, these commentators are something else. is this fanzone or something? "there's malice there!" how would you know that you imp?

By looking at the replay, like everybody else.

By Rolly, at December 04, 2010 12:32 am
"TheMightyAB's said...

Rugby Dump, please tighten up on who post on the blogs."

Yes, those with a painfully poor grasp on the English language with no excuse as to why should be the first to get the boot.

By TheMightAB's mother, at December 04, 2010 12:39 am
That's part of rugby. McCaw knows that and that is why he just got up and continued with the game. That is class act

By Anonymous, at December 04, 2010 1:51 am
McCaw deserved it this year, he is a tremendous player and leader. A class act of the field aswell.

By Isaac, at December 04, 2010 2:38 am
funny thing is, the abs actually attempt to play clean every game (according to the rule book), and its always pathetic crybabies who probably havent played a game of ruggers complain about the abs and mccaw. heres the thing, even if the all blacks resorted to cheating and trying to play the ref by complaining about them being in awe of opposition top players... the ABs will still whip your arse lol... truth hurts, and you shit does smell

By I wish ABs did cheat, at December 04, 2010 9:37 am
kiwi commentators are a JOKE!! straight away claiming it was malicious in it! fair enough it was a bit high, but claiming straight away it was intentional is crap!!! maybe if mccaw got a few more like this he wouldnt push the laws of the game to the limit all the time!!!

By Anonymous, at December 04, 2010 12:53 pm
mils muliaina deserved the award i thought

By rosh, at December 04, 2010 9:11 pm
serious hit.... kiwi commentators full of shite

By Anonymous, at December 05, 2010 3:04 am
Full of shit? That's not a hit, it's an illegal high tackle.
It's a dog act, the act of a low coward.
It should have been cited. Powell is a failry average player, illegally tackling a much, much better player.

By Jono, at December 05, 2010 4:26 am
List of international rugby cheaters...

Stephen Ferris - excellent cheater
David Pocock - wonderful cheater
Victor Matfield - superb cheater
Lewis Moody - fantastic cheater
Martyn Williams - outstanding cheater
Dimitri Szarzewski - incredible cheater

Richie McCaw - the best of them all...it still amazes me that people complain about cheating - one corner of winning rugby is cheating and anyone that has ever played any kind of winning rugby will know that...one thing that does annoy me here though is people implying that Mccaw deserved that tackle because he cheats - no one deserves to be hit like that...certainly high, dangerous and deserving of at least 2 weeks

By pyes, at December 05, 2010 9:34 am
TheMightAB's mother said...
"TheMightyAB's said...

Rugby Dump, please tighten up on who post on the blogs."

Yes, those with a painfully poor grasp on the English language with no excuse as to why should be the first to get the boot.

Whats wrong with my English Punk !! just cos I didn't go to a private school and spend my childhood picking up the soap !!

By TheMightyAB's, at December 05, 2010 5:51 pm
I think it prob deserved a card but the citing lark needs to calm down a bit. Christ you could be cited for a mildly smelly fart now but nothing happen when you kill ball continuously in your 22, take someones head off etc. On the Player of the year issue, yet again the IRB have got it horribly wrong. Riche McCaw was not the best seven this year, Pocock was. Richie MCaw was not the best player for New Zealand this year. Kieran Read was the worlds best player this year.

By David, at December 05, 2010 7:16 pm
This was taking someone's head off, and he didn't get cited.
Killing the ball in your 22? You mean like every single team does from time to time?
Something that is not dangerous in any way? You don't cite players for that, jesus, make some sense.

By Jono, at December 06, 2010 4:56 am
@ all you haters.

Suck shit and enjoy reflecting on having your arses handed to you.

McCaw you are a legend!!

By Anonymous, at December 07, 2010 12:27 am
Wales can't match the AB's on the pitch so they resort to that stuff.

McCaw must be made of steel.

No citing = Typical NH tour for the AB's, all their teams get away with murder.

What a joke.

By :-), at December 07, 2010 12:31 am
i'm from Wales and love my national team and players, however The tackle was high and a definite cheap shot, so i definitely think a citing should have been carried out. Powell is one dimensional and thought his game had slightly improved till this happened. Say what you want about cheating and everything else but McCaw is pure class and every side cheats some way or another

By Anonymous, at December 07, 2010 6:25 am
@Anon Wales played well, obviously that hit was a bit disappointing.

Andy Powell is a big unit.. If he'd gone a few inches lower it would have been one of the hits of the year.

A bit strange he didn't get cited though... It looks pretty bad in replay.

By Nicko, at December 08, 2010 12:28 am