Richard Kahui's two big hits against the Crusaders
There's been so much talk about the strength of the New Zealand midfield of late that certain players can get slightly overlooked. One of those guys stuck his hand up on the weekend, or rather his shoulders, in an attempt to get back on the radar.
This was one of those eventful matches where lots happened and plenty could be posted from it here on RD. You already saw the nice piece of sportsmanship from Corey Flynn earlier in the week, and there was a bit of a fight too, but for now we'll take a look at two big tackles.
While Conrad Smith and Ma'a Nonu are more than likely first choice All Blacks based on past exploits, the form of Sonny Bill Williams and Robbie Fruean could mean that they are the heirs apparent. It's easy to forget that there are also other massive talents waiting in the wings too, namely Luke McAlister of the Blues, and Richard Kahui of the Chiefs.
Kahui, who has been hampered by his bad run of injuries, was up against Williams and Fruean on the weekend. He matched them for physicality, letting everyone know that he's still around and very much fighting for a World Cup spot, whether in midfield or even on the wing.
While the first hit in this clip is possibly a bit questionable, it came out of nowhere so looked great. He then followed it up directly afterwards with a great tackle on flanker George Whitelock. Two big hits that added to the intensity of the game, and are well worth seeing.
This was one of those eventful matches where lots happened and plenty could be posted from it here on RD. You already saw the nice piece of sportsmanship from Corey Flynn earlier in the week, and there was a bit of a fight too, but for now we'll take a look at two big tackles.
While Conrad Smith and Ma'a Nonu are more than likely first choice All Blacks based on past exploits, the form of Sonny Bill Williams and Robbie Fruean could mean that they are the heirs apparent. It's easy to forget that there are also other massive talents waiting in the wings too, namely Luke McAlister of the Blues, and Richard Kahui of the Chiefs.
Kahui, who has been hampered by his bad run of injuries, was up against Williams and Fruean on the weekend. He matched them for physicality, letting everyone know that he's still around and very much fighting for a World Cup spot, whether in midfield or even on the wing.
While the first hit in this clip is possibly a bit questionable, it came out of nowhere so looked great. He then followed it up directly afterwards with a great tackle on flanker George Whitelock. Two big hits that added to the intensity of the game, and are well worth seeing.
:: Related Posts ::
Good sportsmanship after another Owen Franks head clash (2011)
Richard Kahui crunching hit on Adam Ashley-Cooper (2010)
Richard Kahui & Matthew Tait's big headclash (2008)
Time: 01:12
Good sportsmanship after another Owen Franks head clash (2011)
Richard Kahui crunching hit on Adam Ashley-Cooper (2010)
Richard Kahui & Matthew Tait's big headclash (2008)
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28 Comments:
First..?
By Anonymous, at April 21, 2011 3:18 pm
Take that!
By Sitdown, at April 21, 2011 3:23 pm
Looks like he's threatened by the emergence of Sonny Bill and Fruean. If he can keep it up - good on him - adds more pressure on the midfield selections for the WC.
By Anonymous, at April 21, 2011 3:30 pm
Love to see him and McAlister tried in midfield in the tri-nations.
By Anonymous, at April 21, 2011 3:56 pm
First one was ropey legally, second one was a great hit.
By Mike, at April 21, 2011 4:19 pm
Fuck... so much quality at centre for NZ they have 2 or 3 world class pairings and England can't even get 1 with a waaaaaaaaayyyy larger playing base
By Anonymous, at April 21, 2011 4:39 pm
McCalisters's (sp) is going to France next year. what a tragedy. they have so many players and still have to pay massive amounts to keep up
By Anonymous, at April 21, 2011 4:41 pm
Agree with Mike (if he meant the 1st one was illegal). Still takes a lot of courage and commitment to come flying in like that.
By Guy, at April 21, 2011 4:45 pm
The first one was illegal. But it looked like he pulled out of wrapping. It could have been he realised his angle was wrong and didn't want to go to the wrap, on the basis if he did he'd have ended up full on clothes-lining the bloke.
Or maybe he just didn't bother for the sake of not bothering, but I know I've been in a similar situation and kept my arm down. It sounds a bit counterproductive but can be the right decision.
By Anonymous, at April 21, 2011 4:50 pm
Kahui is such a class player, such a complete #13: pace, skills, decision making, and real aggression in the tackle. Injuries have really been hard on him, he should have 30+ AB caps by now.
By Douglas, at April 21, 2011 4:55 pm
what england would do for one of: freuan, SBW, nonu, kahui, Smith ....you get the picture!
we will lend you a decent front 5 fwd in return.
By jimmymc, at April 21, 2011 5:13 pm
I thought the first one was a pretty good tackle by 12 actually, albeit far more spectacular for Kahui's contribution. Most notable was the fact Carter managed to hold onto the ball - some nice rucking by Crusaders too.
Second one's an absolute beauty!!
By Von, at April 21, 2011 5:28 pm
Was one was awful, in terms of rules, spectacular in terms of ouch..
Second one was textbook
By No.7, at April 21, 2011 5:35 pm
Berquist was playing 10, not Carter. The hits are great but let's be honest, that was the only time you heard Kahui's name mentioned in the game, two hits in 30 seconds.
By ehh, at April 21, 2011 6:04 pm
Without a doubt first one was illegal , second was class
By Anonymous, at April 21, 2011 6:14 pm
Kahui is pure class when not injured the best rush defensive center in NZ. He not just about big D he's got plenty of gas and good fend. Good to see him back shut down SBW and fruens space there will be a lot of super 15 coaches watching replays of this game.
Really hope for the best and no injurys.
By Anonymous, at April 21, 2011 10:27 pm
'questionably arms but it didn't matter'....It does matter, that first hit was hard, but I believe illegal from said 'questionable arms'!! That said, no intentional harm meant. Second hit, fantastic, great lift for the side!!
By Alexander, at April 21, 2011 11:14 pm
sbw had a lot of average moments in this game! i will be damned if henry sticks with nonu
By Anonymous, at April 22, 2011 12:27 am
He should of walked for the first one. Brutal.
By Funbobby, at April 22, 2011 12:47 am
Kahui will definitely be a long term AB after the WC... He's awesome....like someone said earlier though... Shattered McAlister is leaving NZ, him and Kahui would be a MEAN midfield!
By Nicko, at April 22, 2011 6:20 am
i think kahui might have been shunted off balance a bit by sweeny (12 for the chiefs and a very underated player himself) hence him not catching him square and not wrapping.
If not for his bad run of injuries i.m.o he'd have been the incumbent 13 for a few years already. Has the defensive brain of smith, regularly puts in shots as seen here, runs very good lines and has the speed of a winger. If given the chance he'd make a lethal combo with SBW
By Anonymous, at April 22, 2011 8:00 am
both hits were good. First one's legal according to therules. He tried to get his arms round, that's all the rule says he has to do. Again, there is nothing in the laws about wrapping.
By Jono, at April 22, 2011 8:09 am
agree with other comments first tackle was illegal second was just a great hit
By Anonymous, at April 22, 2011 2:32 pm
conrad smith should be the third name on the all-blacks team sheet that graham henry writes down,after mccaw and carter.the man is a seriously world-class player,the workrate he gets through in 80 minutes is absolutely immense.
By Anonymous, at April 22, 2011 2:39 pm
Man, when it comes to centers, wings, and loose forwards, NZ is sooo deep.
By sweetdick, at April 22, 2011 3:22 pm
Hey Jono this link is for you: http://rugbydump.blogspot.com/2011/04/richard-kahuis-two-big-hits-against.html
I think you might have been watching a different video from the rest of us!
By Anonymous, at April 22, 2011 4:09 pm
^^^
No. Jono makes this point on every post about a tackle. And he's right - the rules only say you have to *attempt* to wrap your arms round the ball-carrier. In this case Kahui wasn't able to wrap his arms because his team-mate's tackle had moved the ball-carrier's body position.
By Von, at April 23, 2011 11:08 am
Thanks Von, at least someone knows the laws!
It says in the lawbook that a player must attempt to grasp the other player in some way.
Just attempt, not succeed, and it says nothing about wrapping or getting the arms around. That's some weird obsession with British rugby fans for some reason.
By Jono, at April 27, 2011 1:37 am
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