Rugby videos of tackles, tries, funny incidents and more: Sean O'Brien's backhand strike on Yannick Nyanga

Tuesday, May 03, 2011

Sean O'Brien's backhand strike on Yannick Nyanga

Leinster's Sean O'Brien should consider himself lucky to avoid a citing following his backhand to the face of Yannick Nyanga during Leinster's Heineken Cup semi final on Saturday.

O'Brien was being held at the back of the scrum by Nyanga as eighthman Louis Picamoles cruised over untouched for a try to Toulouse in the second half of the 32-23 Leinster victory.

It's impossible to say whether the Ireland loose forward, who has been outstanding over the last year, would have made it across and effected a successful tackle or not. There is however no doubting the fact that he was held back, which led to the backhand lash out.

Nyanga looked stunned as he fell to the floor before receiving medical attention. He got up after some time, but was substituted for the rest of the game. None of the officials appeared to see it.

Fellow Irishman Paul O'Connell received a four week ban when he did the same thing to Jonathan Thomas in December of last year. O'Connell was spotted doing it at the time and picked up a red card, and later the citing and subsequent suspension.

There is a 50 hour window for citings to take place, so O'Brien has somehow avoided being picked up for striking out, and will be free to play in the final in Cardiff on May 21st.

Time: 01:14

Fiiirrrrssst!!!!!! Boom!

By Anonymous, at May 03, 2011 5:26 pm
really... how can you expect to hold a player when defending his tryline and not expect retaliation?
anybody would react!!

By eric, at May 03, 2011 5:27 pm
Justice

By Anonymous, at May 03, 2011 5:27 pm
He deserved it. Stopped the try as Sean would have had it covered.

By Anonymous, at May 03, 2011 5:27 pm
I think if your going to hold back a player like that you should expect a smack in the face also Nyanga look as if he has been taking tips from our footballing cousins at Barcelona Daniel Alves rings a bell

By Anonymous, at May 03, 2011 5:27 pm
Indicative of the refereeing in the game, and the previous one against Leicester Tigers.

Laughable at this level.

How this hasn't been cited is an absolute mystery, Delon Armitage must be going mental right now.

By Adam Cort, at May 03, 2011 5:28 pm
This is what used to make the game of rugby great. The side battles, the cheeky stuff and the instant justice.

Some of these personal battles used to last years.

By EARugbyFan, at May 03, 2011 5:28 pm
Should of been cited, but was clearly just a reaction. And to be fair nyanga or the other players don't complain, he knows what he's been hit for.

By Christ, at May 03, 2011 5:33 pm
Hm, quite lucky

no question about that he was illegaly held, but if a french had retaliated like that, few people would say: red card, huge ban, coward action and few interesting things.
but fortunately, he is irish;)

By GreG, at May 03, 2011 5:33 pm
Sean O Brien wont be held again!!
Justice

By Anonymous, at May 03, 2011 5:36 pm
seriously??????????? O brien gets away wit turing around and lashing out at aplayer and O connell gets 4 weeks for a similar but nt so bad offence.... thers no such ting as justice...

By Anonymous, at May 03, 2011 5:37 pm
you mess with the bull you get the horns, roll on cardiff.

By damo, at May 03, 2011 5:43 pm
JUSTICE HAS BEEN DONE!!!!

By Anonymous, at May 03, 2011 5:51 pm
hhha great

By as, at May 03, 2011 5:51 pm
bad defense from the leinster n°9!!!
There is allways, like Nyanga's one, this type of obstruction in a field... don't be unfair

By Anonymous, at May 03, 2011 5:54 pm
I would ban Nyanga for holding O'Brien...he could have gone for the tackle

By Miquel, at May 03, 2011 5:57 pm
Nyanga Deserved it, and it should have been a pen for Leinster... O'Brien would have stopped it!

By Anonymous, at May 03, 2011 5:59 pm
Bosh. Great whack. Reminded me of those little backfists Schwarzenegger used to do in the 80s. Natural rugby justice. No citing required here.

I also applaud Nyanga for his work in opening up the space - using his body legitimately to block the Leinster scrumhalf from easily getting to his opposite number. I'm less happy about his pulling back Sean O'Brien and I think he deserved a backhander for it - it was very cynical. But it worked!

By Von, at May 03, 2011 6:00 pm
@Adam Cort

Go play football. Nyanga deserved what he got and only a disgruntled Toulouse fan would say otherwise.

And the refereeing was fine in the Leicester game (but it was poor in this one, usually in favour of Toulouse).

@GreG

Doubt it. We only call for that sort of stuff when the French do dirty things like stick their fingers in peoples' eyes.

Those calling for a citing must have little pride in the sport. We all know Nyanga got exactly what he deserved (I'm sure Nyanga would admit the same). Thankfully, the Toulouse team and coaches seem to have more honour than some of those here and SOME French clubs and players and did not get SOB cited. Thankfully Leinster also have the same level of honour and did not report Census Johnson for his two blatant foot / leg trip tackles (one in the middle of play and one when O' Driscoll scores). Great response and attitude from both teams and managements. I hope others can learn to follow their example.

By Block, at May 03, 2011 6:02 pm
I think Nyanga should be banned for holding O'Brien, he could have tackled Picamoles if not held...

By Miquel, at May 03, 2011 6:05 pm
Opportunistic cheating like this is part of the game. A quick punch in retaliation is not worthy of a citing. Nyanga would have half expected that.

Given the good fortune in both of Toulouse's tries though I think it's obvious that Leinster were worthy winners on the day. Not much Toulouse can complain about, the punch is completely irrelevant to the course of the match.

By John F, at May 03, 2011 6:11 pm
Ok there is an obstruction from Nyanga but we see that kind of stuff every week end. And do you really think that O'Brien could stop Picamoles and avoid the try.
The scrum was perfectly manage by Toulouse so O'Brien had to much distance to cover and Picamoles (115kg) was running.
Pretty impossible isn't it ?

By Anonymous, at May 03, 2011 6:17 pm
no^^^ not impossible. Obrien had plenty of time and is a big guy himself (110kg) and very fast. nyanga was holding obrien for almost 4 seconds before the try. before picamoles even got the ball. before the scrum half even offloaded the ball

By Anonymous, at May 03, 2011 6:21 pm
@adam cort

Delon is a hot headed fool, hence why he's going mental right now, no other reason. What he did was malicious, what O'Brien did was during play in attempt to break the player away from him.

The difference between this and POC is POC struck Thomas whilst the game was NOT in play. He let his anger boil, and more to the point the ref assumed he used his ELBOW, which is why the ref thought it warranted a red (which was OTT in my opinion).

Nyanga got what he deserved. SOB lashed out, and probably didn't even mean to catch him in the face. There was nothing in it.

@block Well said.

By Adam Keni, at May 03, 2011 6:22 pm
Yes he held him back but O'Brien hadn't broke his bind early so tit for tat.

By gf, at May 03, 2011 6:23 pm
Am I the only one thinking O'Brien comes out of the scrum too early? That should be a penalty.

I don't deny Nyanga's fault but the "justice" involved here is somehow very subjective...

By Anonymous, at May 03, 2011 6:25 pm
and it wasn't like he broke it a split second early.

By gf, at May 03, 2011 6:25 pm
@block

Agree completely. Nice contribution.

By JAMIE, at May 03, 2011 6:26 pm
"Am I the only one thinking O'Brien comes out of the scrum too early? That should be a penalty.

I don't deny Nyanga's fault but the "justice" involved here is somehow very subjective..."

Stop fucking whining. they were lucky to have the scrum in the first place. the chaser who forced darcy into touch resulting in the scrum was offside when the kick was made. there should never have been a scrum. it should have been a penalty to leinster. toulouse were lucky to get any tries at all.

By Anonymous, at May 03, 2011 6:28 pm
This comment has been removed by the author.

By themull, at May 03, 2011 6:28 pm
Both deserved what they got, O'Brien should not have left the scrum before the ball got out, Nyanga took himself for the referee as he retained him it's not fair and so he had his punishment, but I don't understand why people are complaining so much, at the end sadly this is not Toulouse which won the game. So good game Leinster, you deserved your win (despite the fact that the Toulousains gave it to you by the number of fouls they commited) and I hope we'll see us next year for the revenge.

By Anonymous, at May 03, 2011 6:29 pm
You hold a player back illegally, you should expect to get a smack in the face....Especially when you do it to a man such as SOB....

In reality it should have been penalty Leinster but this sort of thing happens all of the time and if it's not called by the ref a smack on the jaw will make him think twice about doing it again..

I think we're getting to trigger happy regarding all of this citing business and im glad this one wasn't cited..To cite a sly cowardly punch at the bottom of a ruck or to defenseless guy in a mall is fine or for dangerous tackles sometimes and obviously for eye gouging etc...But if somebody is holding you back off the ball and the ref aint gonna call it you need to stand your ground and make sure he doesnt do it again

By themull, at May 03, 2011 6:30 pm
I agree with the majority here...this is why you don't hold a player back, much less a forward.

Shame on Nyanga for drawing attention to the matter rather than moving on with the game, realizing he got a backhand to the head but gifted his team a try.

By 14, at May 03, 2011 6:33 pm
"despite the fact that the Toulousains gave it to you by the number of fouls they commited"

eh no. Leinster out played them and outscored them. toulouse were lucky to get a single try, let alone 2. they played well, but leinster were simply too strong. it was certainly not a matter of the toulousains giving it to leinster though. not at all my friend

By Anonymous, at May 03, 2011 6:55 pm
doesnt matter if it was a reaction, he should of been cited.

What does this teach the kids at grass roots? It's ok to hit someone in the face if they hold you back illegally. pffffffft!

This sport will turn into football soon.

By Nathan, at May 03, 2011 6:57 pm
Just as another note, O'Brien should've/could've been penalized for breaking off early; so anyone complaining it should've been a penalty to Leinster is full of it.

But like I said, Nyanga did ensure the try with his actions...backhand deserved.

By 14, at May 03, 2011 7:03 pm
Nathan, im not sure if youve ever watched football, but they dont teach you to hit people if they hold you. they teach people to square up to each other, pretend theyve been hit and dive on the floor.

ps, thes is a mans sport. nyanga got what he deserved perhaps you should play soccer.

By Anonymous, at May 03, 2011 7:09 pm
"Just as another note, O'Brien should've/could've been penalized for breaking off early; so anyone complaining it should've been a penalty to Leinster is full of it."

Read this:

"they were lucky to have the scrum in the first place. the chaser who forced darcy into touch resulting in the scrum was offside when the kick was made. there should never have been a scrum."

By Sean, at May 03, 2011 7:10 pm
Nyanga had it coming and deserved everything he got!

But at the same time, O'Brien was thankfully very lucky not to have been cited!

By Anonymous, at May 03, 2011 7:16 pm
I'd LOVE us French people to ban the H Cup for a while. It would have soo less interest and money it would stop in 5 years. And all those frustrated tossers who keep on bashing the French on any occasion, and seem to remember the rules only when applying to Frenchmen (or Argentinians, or Italians...well, any non-English speaking player on the pitch, really)

Ok, what Nyanga did was WRONG. Did it deserve a yellow? I don't think so: they were on the tryline, and although you guys think Frenchmen are sissies, I can swear that it is really hard to stop Louis PIcamoles when he's running this close to the tryline.

how many times have I seen people here saying "there are rules, the referee's here so that you don't make yourself justice", and all of a sudden he deserves to die because he did something silly???

well, all I can say is...LET US BAN THAT STUPID COMPETITION, WE ARE NOT WELCOME ANYWAY

serieux, je lance une pétition sur rugbyrama pour boycotter cette H Cup de merde, ils peuvent pas nous sacquer et bah très bien pour eux, on les laisse enculer leurs moutons dans leur trou à merde et on garde nos forces pour le Top 14!!!!

By Anonymous, at May 03, 2011 7:17 pm
As a flanker i would do the same.
SOB, did the right thing.
Real nice, real nice.

By Fabricio, at May 03, 2011 7:22 pm
this is a lot different to O'Connell's incident. O'Brien was being held back in a try scoring incident. you have to retaliate to something like that if you want any chance of trying to stop the to-be try scorer.

By Anonymous, at May 03, 2011 7:24 pm
It's hard stop him.
Hm, let's see, SOB blocked Castro Giovanni very easy for me, so, picamoles is a sissy ;D

By Fabricio, at May 03, 2011 7:25 pm
retarded anon above

the same thing was said about poc when he lashed out. the general consensus here was that the holding player deserved the hit and the most poc deserved was a yellow (not a red, not a ban) and his strike was more vicious.

guess what. the player he hit was english speaking!!!!

you see, it's not just the french. it just so happens the french have committed the two dirtiest pieces of foul play in top level rugby in recent years that is why they have a bad rep right now. dont forget, it wasnt just the players who gouged either. the camera man was also spat on and insulted by stade francais staff. all of this did not help frnehc rugby.

so please, stop whining. it just makes you guys look even worse.

By rayjay, at May 03, 2011 7:26 pm
"how many times have I seen people here saying "there are rules, the referee's here so that you don't make yourself justice", and all of a sudden he deserves to die because he did something silly???"

I have never heard this actually apart from much more serious incidents (e.g. vicious raking to get a player to move, a square haymaker to the jaw a la julian white). A backhand slap is not that serious at all.

By Anonymous, at May 03, 2011 7:30 pm
I'll probably be ignored, but:

At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter. The best team won.

If this was more game defining, like the ball incident when Wales played Ireland, then I'd take the incident into greater consideration.

By TUITIP, at May 03, 2011 7:31 pm
What is with all this woes me bullshit that French fans come out with? Every one is treated the same in the HC and there is no anti-French motive behind anything.

I don't know where this rubbish comes from. If a player does something illegal then he will be cited at if the opposition complains or it is felt worthy by the citing official.

Ever since the Attoub gouge they seem to think there is some motive against them.

By Anonymous, at May 03, 2011 7:32 pm
Very biased towards SOB here. I'd have done the same if I was Nyanga, and I'd challenge anyone who plays rugby to say they wouldn't?! Would probably have done the same if I was SOB as well.

By Anonymous, at May 03, 2011 7:33 pm
IRB : objectivity and wisdom.
the Attoub incident was just the biggest display of unfairness from the past 50 years...but you'd have to know a bit about rugby to actually be aware of that.
If you go in the archives of this site, you will find numerous comparisons with links ... but you're better off doing just what the irb does best : be on one side and decide between friends what should happen to them scruffy hairy latin players... IRB is as fair as a monarchy !! long live the IRB and its non latin objectivity ^^

By jay, at May 03, 2011 7:42 pm
I've been pulled and lashed out. I've pulled and been lashed out at. Whoever pulls shirts deserves it. Please move on, nothing to see here.

By Anonymous, at May 03, 2011 7:48 pm
Openside gets a smack in the mouth for a try? Im sure any openside would see that a fair deal; if anything the try should of been disallowed and a penalty to Leinster!

By Anonymous, at May 03, 2011 7:49 pm
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/46913000/jpg/_46913475_stephen_ferris_gouge466.jpg

Well, they did get it wrong. They let the scumbag back on the pitch. Should've been out for life. Same for that scumbag Depuis. And the Stade Francais staff acted pathetically trying to ruin the photographers career after by saying he lied. Even more pathetic was when the staff began insulting him and spitting at him when he was shooting at another match involving Stade Francais. A truly pathetic display from all.

By Anonymous, at May 03, 2011 7:51 pm
jay

please stfu. he didnt get enough time. he should never have been allowed back.

By Tron79, at May 03, 2011 7:53 pm
Some stupid comments here

It was just an usual end of scrum. Both players can be penalised. Obrien for not being linked with the scrum, nyanga who continue to push and brush Obrien.
It was just a Great Toulouse forwards work

My fellow french moaners should eat their tongue
The French haters are just ignorant trolls

By Colombes, at May 03, 2011 7:59 pm
No need to be all jumpy here everyone..!

Nyanga did wrong, O'brien reacted wrong but in such a tense game, things like this will always happen (and I personally don't think it's such a bad thing...).

If O'brien was not cited, it's because Toulouse did not think it was worthy of it, as I read in a french newspaper (typical Novès class).
So stop arguing like childs and behave like the players you support: stay passionate and act like men.

By Unknown, at May 03, 2011 8:00 pm
there are no french haters, colombes. There are French trolls though who keep saying they are victims / the IRB is against them, etc.

By Anonymous, at May 03, 2011 8:11 pm
It is rugby. You do not do yourself justice. Period.

Does this guy have no self contol or what ? SOB can have a revenge tackling Nyanga anytime. This punch is disgraceful and does not belong to a rugby game.

By Ulf, at May 03, 2011 8:23 pm
How can some of you call it justice ??? Seriously, this is nothing but a strike on the face of a player, no matter if he diserved it or not. O'Brien should consider himself lucky and thank Toulouse for not citing him, because if they had Sean would miss the H cup final. He should also consider himself lucky that this happened during Hcup, if it had been Top 14 he would have had his ass kicked by Nyanga's team mates. O'Brien may be a great player, strong and powerfull, he can't do that kind of staff whithout being punished for it. Toulouse will keep a memory of this incident Sean, and one day or another, you will pay for that.

By Anonymous, at May 03, 2011 8:26 pm
ANOTHER PRIME FUCKING EXAMPLE!!!!

This is the kind of shit I always go on about. We saw danny grewcock get a red against an irish team for his stamp on the arm of a player holding him at a ruck

We saw O'connell get a red (or yellow?!) for this manoeuvre.

We saw Nathan Hines get told off or something for the same thing!

AND its ridiculous!!! Ofcourse I totally cannot sit back and say players should be allowed to swat others like that HOWEVER, there should be a STRONG case to stop players feeling the need to do this!!!!

And here we have a PRIME EXAMPLE of why players do it! On the try line the open side flanker should have been in that gap and he was held back... im not gonna argue that he would have stopped the try or anything but the fact is he was stopped from being in a position where he could have had an opportunity to 'maybe' stop the try...

I want much more punishments to players that hold others back ESPECIALLY IN KEY AREAS LIKE RUCKS, AND SCRUMS!

Im sick of seeing a player BLATANTLY CHEAT, and get away with it because he was swatted, only to have that player sent off or cited.

O'Brien, POC, Hines, Grewcock did what any player would do (or at least I would)

Infact, come to think of it, this happened to stringer when he held onto troncon, and i believe troncon was sent off....

You either go one way which is punish the player holding him back, or the other way and let players hold back and ignore retaliation however to punish a player who was being held is absurd...

I suppose to some extent Bakkies Botha on Cowan is a similar example of what holding players back can lead to, although we all know bakkies is a little extreme at times...

By (u-p)rick, at May 03, 2011 8:28 pm
"How can some of you call it justice ??? Seriously, this is nothing but a strike on the face of a player, no matter if he diserved it or not. O'Brien should consider himself lucky and thank Toulouse for not citing him, because if they had Sean would miss the H cup final. He should also consider himself lucky that this happened during Hcup, if it had been Top 14 he would have had his ass kicked by Nyanga's team mates. O'Brien may be a great player, strong and powerfull, he can't do that kind of staff whithout being punished for it. Toulouse will keep a memory of this incident Sean, and one day or another, you will pay for that."

You are a fucking idiot mate. This is rugby. It is a hard sport. A hit with the back of the hand is not cite worthy. Don't make this game a joke and call for a citing for every minor incident that happens. Do you see Leinster citing Johnson? No. So get over it.

What are you talking about saying he would have got his ass kicked in the Top 14? His team were at Leinster's stadium and they did nothing.

And are you joking about the pay back thing? Seriously, you just sound like some fucking retard who's watched an action movie or something.

These sort of posts give French fans a bad name. Idiocy such as this is simply irritating.

By Anonymous, at May 03, 2011 8:33 pm
"Toulouse will keep a memory of this incident Sean, and one day or another, you will pay for that."

What a silly thing to say. The try wasn't enough "payment"?

By alf, at May 03, 2011 9:11 pm
darcy had a foot inside of the ingoal area any way so should of been a twenty two not a scrum or a penalty for offside!! but who cares it didn't affect the result! leinster arn't a dirty side! and i think he is very lucky not to get cited but very happy he didn't!

By Richard Harper, at May 03, 2011 9:20 pm
Fair play to striking out, but the flanker looks back and strikes him again. O'Connell got a citing for doing this to an Ospreys player..

By Anonymous, at May 03, 2011 9:32 pm
"Toulouse will keep a memory of this incident Sean, and one day or another, you will pay for that."

idiot

By Anonymous, at May 03, 2011 9:33 pm
Men!! come 'on I can find some actions of french players that are doing this kind of stuff and you would say : red card, huge banned and so on. Moreover every 6 or 7 do that during srcums so...

By Anonymous, at May 03, 2011 9:56 pm
^^^ You probably could find some. But whether it is a Frenchman or a person from another country, we'd say the same thing.

It's embarrassing for other French fans when you keep whining about being targeted, etc. by the IRB. It's pathetic really.

By Anonymous, at May 03, 2011 9:59 pm
I've said the same thing about Hines, Grewcock, POC, and O'Brien and Im FAR FROM IRISH/ENGLISH/SCOTTISH...

So personally if this was a french guy doing this after being held back i'd back his corner everytime!!!

Anyone who has ever played knows what this is like and knows that if you try that kinda stuff you deserve a clout!

In fact If you guys ever watch the Lewsey v Rogers incident it always shows their little scrap at the start and look what happens Lewsey is holding rogers back...

By (u-p)rick, at May 03, 2011 10:08 pm
there is only one name for that: pussy...

By Anonymous, at May 03, 2011 10:14 pm
I agree. There was no need for Nyanga to dive on the ground like that. Definitely a pussy.

By Anonymous, at May 03, 2011 10:19 pm
If it's a french or italian player it's red card

If it's irish and english player,it's nothing

Pearson and Clancy must be hanged
It's a shame of refeering

Clancy was chosen for the opening game of RWC2011.

Let me laugh

By Anonymous, at May 03, 2011 10:31 pm
^^^ Don't be such a homo...

Check the f*cking related clips...

POC = IRISH.. what did he get? A RED!

Grewcock (not in related) stepped imo on an arm of an irish player.. he is english and he got a red...

...

So take your trolling elsewhere!

By (u-p)rick, at May 03, 2011 10:36 pm
"Nathan, im not sure if youve ever watched football, but they dont teach you to hit people if they hold you. they teach people to square up to each other, pretend theyve been hit and dive on the floor.

ps, thes is a mans sport. nyanga got what he deserved perhaps you should play soccer."

Actually just watched barca/real and yes, i was shouting at the diving. Pathetic!!

ps, exactly.. a mans sport not the school playground!!

By Nathan, at May 03, 2011 10:41 pm
"If it's a french or italian player it's red card

If it's irish and english player,it's nothing

Pearson and Clancy must be hanged
It's a shame of refeering

Clancy was chosen for the opening game of RWC2011.

Let me laugh"

dont group yourself with the italians matey. they arent whining about anything unlike you bunch. they accept the punishments given and dont have to act like little children and whine and whine and whine and whine and.....................whine.

are you aware that a toulouse player got away with two leg tackles. each is a yellow card offense on its own, and sometimes even a red on its own. fans from outside france aren't whining about that.

By Anonymous, at May 03, 2011 10:46 pm
"^^^ Don't be such a homo...

Check the f*cking related clips...

POC = IRISH.. what did he get? A RED!

Grewcock (not in related) stepped imo on an arm of an irish player.. he is english and he got a red...

...

So take your trolling elsewhere!"

Grewcock was given a red by a French referee!!! It must have been a conspiracy against him because he is English. Oh, wait. Sorry. Forgot I have common sense and I'm not a whiney little bitch.

By Johnnyisking, at May 03, 2011 10:47 pm
Nathan the problem lies in the fact referees rarely pick up on the guy holding on!

I know they cannot have eyes everywhere however look at this EXACT clip. If Nyanga had not held O'Brien he would have had a good chance at being in that gap... stopped the try? I doubt it, but it is a possibility!

and what is a penalty try awarded on? If a try would have been scored if the illegal act had not occured... so surely the defending player should get OUR benefit here...

The point is no refs pick up on this and this is a huge offence... so yes whilst its not the best thing on the pitch it is only worth citing if the other player is also cited for his activity!

By (u-p)rick, at May 03, 2011 10:49 pm
nathan

ps, thes is a mans sport. nyanga got what he deserved perhaps you should play soccer."

Actually just watched barca/real and yes, i was shouting at the diving. Pathetic!!

ps, exactly.. a mans sport not the school playground!!

Nyanga was cheating. SOB got him off in a manner which suited this particular game and the sport in general. Do you think he should have turned around and asked "can you release me please?" I certainly don't. If a 100kg guy was hanging out of me, I'd have done the exact same as SOB.

and if there is a try scoring opportunity for the opposing team, shaking off an opponent takes longer and often doesn't even work. If the ref isn't watching, SOB could have shook and shrug all he wanted but he'd have no chance of getting to the tryline. At least with the backhand, he had a better chance of reaching picamoles

By Anonymous, at May 03, 2011 10:53 pm
im sorry but there is nothing wrong with this whatsoever,classic frenchman, diving and cheating- pathetic

By simba lad, at May 03, 2011 10:58 pm
would obrien have hit Nyanga if he didnt hold him???
no he wouldnt, and id say its only bitches who have never played the game who are moaning.
get over it.
Nyanga got what he asked for....

By Ronan, at May 03, 2011 11:12 pm
Colombes, Filipje & Aymeric are fast becoming my favourite Frenchmen.

As for some of the other apparently French posters, I can only guess the French school holidays are still going on?

Thank God for the first three and their sense of rational neutrality and rugby spirit.

By Von, at May 03, 2011 11:12 pm
Agree with ye brick

By Anonymous, at May 03, 2011 11:14 pm
Anonymous said...
If a 100kg guy was hanging out of me, I'd have done the exact same as SOB.

!?!?!?!?!
Surely that would depend if the 100kg guy had bought you flowers and chocolates first?

By Von, at May 03, 2011 11:17 pm
I'm surprised to read people saying that Nyanga faked it. I mean, are we not watching the same video? O'Brien clearly swung back at him and made contact. Who are you to question how bad that contact was. Seen O'Brien's arms lately?!

By Laz, at May 03, 2011 11:32 pm
How can you say Nyanga deserved it? Is it something we want to teach kids in rugby schools, that they should retaliate? I don't think so. (The football player reaction was lame though, if it was one...I'm still wondering why he was replaced, maybe it was no football in the end). Oh and SOB was detached from the scrum before the ball went out anyway, so I guess one cheating cancels the other, doesn't it?

On another note, to the "trolls" saying French players are cheaters, I would like to remind you that it's been more than ten years since the French team has been given a card (yellow or red) in the 6 Nations tournament for the last time. See! The IRB loves us. And this will be a nice transition to my next point...

To my French fellow countrymen, please stop whining about the IRB being harsh on us. Do not try to compare with other players/ situations...Attoub and Dupuy (because everything always come back to them) deserved their ban, what they did was horrid, end of it.

By Threma, at May 03, 2011 11:36 pm
I'm French and played in several countries (France a lot,Asia & North America), and with a lot of people from SH & NH.
And what I can say about this kind of retaliation is that I saw a lot of that kind in the French Championships (Regional & Federal), and French players love that (its a kind of "game" in the "game"), whereas our english spoken friends, prefer get their revenge during a typical rugby action (strong ruck, big tackle,...).
As French, I would say, I'm not complaining about what SOB did, because it was well deserved, and in France the crowd would have applause this.

And by the way, Saturday & Sunday, both of the best team won, nothing to say about that. I was expecting a bit more from Toulouse, but it seems that the season is way too long for them.

By Unknown, at May 03, 2011 11:43 pm
^^^^^^^^^^^
Bravo. Threma, You'll be excited to know that you've been added to my list of favourite French people.

By Von, at May 03, 2011 11:45 pm
"How can you say Nyanga deserved it? Is it something we want to teach kids in rugby schools, that they should retaliate? I don't think so. (The football player reaction was lame though, if it was one...I'm still wondering why he was replaced, maybe it was no football in the end). Oh and SOB was detached from the scrum before the ball went out anyway, so I guess one cheating cancels the other, doesn't it?

On another note, to the "trolls" saying French players are cheaters, I would like to remind you that it's been more than ten years since the French team has been given a card (yellow or red) in the 6 Nations tournament for the last time. See! The IRB loves us. And this will be a nice transition to my next point...

To my French fellow countrymen, please stop whining about the IRB being harsh on us. Do not try to compare with other players/ situations...Attoub and Dupuy (because everything always come back to them) deserved their ban, what they did was horrid, end of it."

How can you say he didn't deserve it? What would you recommend he should have done. And SOB only detached after the ball had come out of the scrum on the right hand side (ending the scrum, at which point SOB was allowed to detach) after which red number 6 kicked the ball back into the scrum (it came back straight back out though).

And nobody is saying French players are cheaters. Anyway, getting cards or not doesn't mean a team does or doesn't cheat. Every team cheats. It's part of the game.

By Anonymous, at May 03, 2011 11:48 pm
And another!

(By the way, I do realise no-one gives a shit whether I approve or not! I just like to give credit where it's due).

By Von, at May 03, 2011 11:49 pm
Well id do the same defending my line

By Anonymous, at May 03, 2011 11:52 pm
(u-p)rick said...
^^^ Don't be such a homo...

Check the f*cking related clips...

POC = IRISH.. what did he get? A RED!

Grewcock (not in related) stepped imo on an arm of an irish player.. he is english and he got a red...

...

So take your trolling elsewhere!

Incomplete information

Grewcock sent off by Jérome Garces, a french referee, POC sent off by Christophe Berdos a french referee, Xavier Rush sent off by Jérome Garces a french referee.

It was:

Bath vs Ulster, no french team
Munster vs Ospreys, no french team
Cardiff vs Northampton, no french team.

Before talk check your information

By Anonymous, at May 04, 2011 12:14 am
Nothing you posted mattered with regard to what uprick said... so the referees were French. WHy does that matter? The cards were deserved.

By Anonymous, at May 04, 2011 12:24 am
And no French teams were involved? OK... so what?

By Anonymous, at May 04, 2011 12:25 am
Anonymous my comment was with regard to:

'If it's a french or italian player it's red card

If it's irish and english player,it's nothing'

So actually my information needs no input on the referee's nationality, seeing as they're supposed to be impartial i dont believe there needs to be a nationality...

How about George Clancy refereeing the northampton game? he could have red carded the french player but didnt, he gave him a yellow...

Now tell me that still goes along with this great french conspiracy!

By (u-p)rick, at May 04, 2011 12:25 am
'so the referees were French. WHy does that matter? The cards were deserved.'

Actually other anonymous, whilst i thankyou for your back up and yes you read part of what i meant correctly (the players were carded regardless of the ref)

My main issue is that the cards were not deserved, i believe they fall into the same category as this and do not deserve cards.

If these actions were made on players who were not holding on then id say a card, and im well aware that retaliation is not supposed to be viewed as an excuse but i do believe that until holding on is dealt with this will happen more and more.. All this needed was the referee to blow up for a penalty against Nyanga, or against byrne, or against Ferris?! and that would be it, no need to card anyone, no need for people to get too upset, and just a little warning about how not to behave at a ruck/scrum/maul etc..!

By (u-p)rick, at May 04, 2011 12:31 am
Go on SAINTS!

By Anonymous, at May 04, 2011 12:41 am
"How about George Clancy refereeing the northampton game? he could have red carded the french player but didnt, he gave him a yellow..."

Case and point. Absolutely a red card offense (and I wanted Perp. to win - I hate the attitude of some of the Saints players). Poor call by the ref.

By Sean, at May 04, 2011 12:42 am
"How about George Clancy refereeing the northampton game? he could have red carded the french player but didnt, he gave him a yellow..."

Case and point. Absolutely a red card offense (and I wanted Perp. to win - I hate the attitude of some of the Saints players). Poor call by the ref.

By Sean, at May 04, 2011 12:42 am
As Usual IRB never sees England s faults
The rule is you cannot touch the face so why there is no citation maybe because it's an Irish player.

To refresh your memory David atoub was ban for one year and an half for an action less violent

By Unknown, at May 04, 2011 12:54 am
"To refresh your memory David atoub was ban for one year and an half for an action less violent"

Trying to burst someone's eyeball... less violent? hahahah pathetic whiny French fans. Get over it. You are an embarassment to rugby fans everywhere..

By Anonymous, at May 04, 2011 12:59 am
"As Usual IRB never sees England s faults
The rule is you cannot touch the face so why there is no citation maybe because it's an Irish player.

To refresh your memory David atoub was ban for one year and an half for an action less violent"

lamieristoff

Why do you make a point such as this one when 1) this point has already been dealt with under this video and many others and 2) you and other fans have failed to address any of the rebuttals regarding the Attoub incident posted under this video.

You constantly whine and constantly disregard points made in response.

By Anonymous, at May 04, 2011 1:01 am
He deserved it, so does anyone who holds back a defender. Its like the whole lying on the ball thing. The ref's weren't controlling it, so players started to rake and stamp. Then that was seen as dangerous and the ref's cleaned up that part of the game (kind of).

THis is happening a lot, at least third video to go up on this site in the last three months (I think). The rfu should sort it out or expect this to become part of the game. Why should the other team get away with stopping a defender making a tackle.

By Anonymous, at May 04, 2011 1:11 am
If it's a french or italian player it's red card

If it's irish and english player,it's nothing

Pearson and Clancy must be hanged
It's a shame of refeering

Clancy was chosen for the opening game of RWC2011.

Clancy gave Candelon a yellow card. He should have got red.

By Anonymous, at May 04, 2011 1:29 am
'lamieristoff said...
As Usual IRB never sees England s faults
The rule is you cannot touch the face so why there is no citation maybe because it's an Irish player.

To refresh your memory David atoub was ban for one year and an half for an action less violent'

WOW... really?!? trolls are making blogger accounts now?

C'mon, when i troll i at least stick to the anonymous... you actually go through all that effort to troll...dude... go get laid or go outside or something... (maybe its time the Xbox network goes down dontcha think?)

By Anonymous, at May 04, 2011 1:54 am
Nowadays you can't just thump somneone, the game has changed. Nowadays, a player will hold you back knowing that if you do lash out you will either get a card on the spot or you will get cited. Its called proffessionalism. You can not retalliate these days - get the guy back later with legitimate means, don't get mad, get even.

By steviegen, at May 04, 2011 1:57 am
This comment has been removed by the author.

By steviegen, at May 04, 2011 1:59 am
Stringer did the same thing to Troncon.
Troncon did the same thing to Stringer.

Stringer got what he deserved.
Troncon got a red card and a 30-day ban.

Nyanga got what he deserved.
O'Brien got nothing?

By cheyanqui, at May 04, 2011 2:51 am
there is a difference between a backhand slap with your back turned on your own try line against a man your own size and throwing a haymaker a midget's jaw head in the middle of the field. nyanga prevented a try saving tackle, stringer was just being an irritating retard as always. also, it was not a high pressure game between evenly matched sides like the heineken cup semi final. you need to take into account more than just the act itself buddy.

By Anonymous, at May 04, 2011 3:16 am
In all fairness, Stringer can handle himself. He took on Parisse as well and did a good job. Even if he is a midget haha

By Anonymous, at May 04, 2011 3:19 am
Yes anon. He shoved Stringer off the ball and then he went for Stringers' eyes the dirty bastard after it kicked off.

Parisse may be good, but he's dirty. He didn't get cited for it either. Check out 1.38 of http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apQjksnwBjI&feature=related

We need to keep an eye on where Parisse puts his dirty little fingers.

By Anonymous, at May 04, 2011 3:23 am
Typical irish cheap shot.

By Anonymous, at May 04, 2011 4:30 am
He really deserved it!! wasn't too much!! Nyanga kind of fake it!

By Anonymous, at May 04, 2011 5:16 am
No big deal, O'Brien had the right to hit him away, he was holding him back from the tackle attempt.

Equally though, there is pretty much no way he was gonna stop that try considering where he was standing and how close that Picamoles was to the line.

All in all, the best outcome is that everyone justs shrugs it off and moves on.

It would have made no difference if Nyanga had not held OBrien, and it made no difference that O'Brien hit Nyanga (who probably deserved a good chinning for his cheating).

By Jono, at May 04, 2011 5:33 am
RED RED RED RED RED RED RED card for OBrien

By Anonymous, at May 04, 2011 8:31 am
Tipical irish cheater...

By Anonymous, at May 04, 2011 8:32 am
Yes typical irish cheating.
O brien forgot to link the scrum to CHEAT, hopefully Nyanga was there to remind him.

5 weeks ban for Obrien

By Anonymous, at May 04, 2011 8:52 am
All this talk of bans, what a load of shit.

He elbowed a guy who was illegally holding him backf rom making a try saving tackle.

But it's in the past, shit happens, forget it.

No ban would be the best outcome.

By Anonymous, at May 04, 2011 8:58 am
O'Brien detached himself early from the scrum first. He could not have stopped the try or it would have been a penalty try and possibly more. He should have been cited. He hit or tried to hit Nyanga twice. ERC better clean up their act or real rugby fans will walk.

By Anonymous, at May 04, 2011 9:04 am
Definite dive...typical

By James, at May 04, 2011 9:08 am
'seriously??????????? O brien gets away wit turing around and lashing out at aplayer and O connell gets 4 weeks for a similar but nt so bad offence.... thers no such ting as justice...'

Are you joking? Nyanga's was a pretty sly unseen move and O'Brien seems pretty aware that the ref is watching the ball. O'Connell literally called the ref over before unleashing.

By Anonymous, at May 04, 2011 10:44 am
'I'd LOVE us French people to ban the H Cup for a while. It would have soo less interest and money it would stop in 5 years. And all those frustrated tossers who keep on bashing the French on any occasion, and seem to remember the rules only when applying to Frenchmen (or Argentinians, or Italians...well, any non-English speaking player on the pitch, really)

Ok, what Nyanga did was WRONG. Did it deserve a yellow? I don't think so: they were on the tryline, and although you guys think Frenchmen are sissies, I can swear that it is really hard to stop Louis PIcamoles when he's running this close to the tryline.

how many times have I seen people here saying "there are rules, the referee's here so that you don't make yourself justice", and all of a sudden he deserves to die because he did something silly???

well, all I can say is...LET US BAN THAT STUPID COMPETITION, WE ARE NOT WELCOME ANYWAY

serieux, je lance une pétition sur rugbyrama pour boycotter cette H Cup de merde, ils peuvent pas nous sacquer et bah très bien pour eux, on les laisse enculer leurs moutons dans leur trou à merde et on garde nos forces pour le Top 14!!!!'

Seems Dupuy still has a chip on his shoulder....

By Anonymous, at May 04, 2011 10:47 am
@Von: Haha thanks mate, I really appreciate.
@ Anon who answerd me: I would have expected SOB to maybe punch him on the arm or not punch him at all. Picaöoles had already scored, the try was already validated.
Was it worth the risk being cited (even if he wasn't in the end)? This could have costed SOB the final...it's just a reckless reaction.
I'm not saying it was not deserved or I wouldn't have done the same, just that it was kind of stupid for a professional player...

By Threma, at May 04, 2011 10:48 am
first of all from the beginning of the scrum SOB stands up... it s not allowed : the 3rd line must be bound with the scrum...
Even the 9 shouldn't rely over the French third line...
then, Nyanga must not hold on a player as he s done....
SOB don't have to make 'justice" himself...
It s a lot of fall for professional players, isn't it?

By Anonymous, at May 04, 2011 10:51 am
I couldn't quite see properly, was that Cristiano Ronaldo going down or Didier Drogba?

By Rugby, the new football, at May 04, 2011 10:59 am
O'Connell got a ban for something near identical to this.

How SOB has escaped a ban for this is a total mystery.

By Anonymous, at May 04, 2011 11:10 am
if the ref doesnt sort it out then do it urself ;)

By Anonymous, at May 04, 2011 11:29 am
Im french.
I think that Nyanga deserve it, and deserve a yellow card on the action. Without, SOB could have cover the try action.
But I also think that SOB should be ban for weeks.
We really begin to be irritate about the decosions of european rugby institutions.
For an eyegoug a french player take 53 weeks, and for that 4 weeks or nothing. WTF????
(maybe 53 weeks is fair, but if it is, then 4 weeks is unfair).

Leinster is a really beautiful and good team and deserve the victory, as Northampton. Hope We'll have a great show on the Final.

Voilà!

By Anonymous, at May 04, 2011 11:49 am
I think it's fair enough, if the guy hadn't been held the try might not have happened. The issue was dealt with on the pitch no need for sightings!

By Logan, at May 04, 2011 12:05 pm
Fully deserved. Players wouldn't do stuff like that if the refs cracked down on the holding in the first place. Should be a straight penalty.

Eat elbow, bitch.

By Ian M, at May 04, 2011 1:01 pm
acting. go play soccer

By Anonymous, at May 04, 2011 2:34 pm
Guys whenever I mention passed things you all seem to focus on the wrong aspect...

When I said Stringer and Troncon, you immediately say 'yeh troncon got this, SOB got nothing etc...'

My point is TRONCON SHOULD HAVE GOT NOTHING...not SOB should have got something...

I swear in football, players are trying to make the opposition LOSE the match, rather than focussing on winning it themselves... i.e diving trying to make the other guy get sent off. That is how i see rugby turning, im sure nyanga didnt dive but if SOB had got sent off it would have been the same thing.

Holding a player away from the action or into the ruck when you shouldnt be playing anything (because you're prone) winds me the f*ck up... and time and time again we see players get wound up then get sent off... POC, Grewcock...

I dont mind seeing this, players whacking each other, or stamping or standing etc... but the fact is it should not be necessary... I would prefer to see cards given for say Armitage's cheap shot, umm, Stamping on a player who is just lying on the ground, gouging etc... rather than cards for players who have to alternative...

I mean lets suppose this was a half way line scrum...how long can Nyanga get away with holding SOB before the referee does anything? I mean from ALL i've seen in many many clips it could appear that a player could get away with holding another player ALL day and not get penalised... and that pisses me off so so much!

By (u-p)rick, at May 04, 2011 2:46 pm
I'd like to think that the majority of comments on here, advocating hitting a player in retaliation, come from Leinster fans.

By Tinted, at May 04, 2011 2:55 pm
Are people seriously suggesting he took a dive? You blokes must have chins made of steel

By Anonymous, at May 04, 2011 2:56 pm
And O'Brien had no right to do anything. He was being held back for cheating. If he didn't cheat he wouldn't have been held back.

By Anonymous, at May 04, 2011 2:57 pm
hmmmmm

interesting position that O'Brien took on that scrum. ie totally slipping his bind and thus incurring a penalty

i'm not advocating what nyanga did nor the retaliation, just saying if both players did what they should do at a scrum then nothing would have come of this

By Irish ref, at May 04, 2011 3:26 pm
Too many Irish on this site.... That should be a sighting without ANY question.

By Anonymous, at May 04, 2011 3:34 pm
Both players cheating obrien did what any other player would have. Armitages citing was a good decision he punched completely of the ball and for absolutely no reason.

By Anonymous, at May 04, 2011 3:50 pm
@Rugby, the new football, how can you even suggest he dived? He looks completely out of it after and then went off! The only football bellend here is you

By Anonymous, at May 04, 2011 3:54 pm
It's funny how a lot of comments forget that O'Brien should still be in the scrum... yeah, you know, otherwise its illegal and should have been a penalty. So he has nothing to do there...

By Anonymous, at May 04, 2011 4:22 pm
Tinted

Just because the majority of people support what SOB did does not mean they're Leinster fans. They are aware this is a physical sport and these things happen.

I assume you and all the others play football or something. This is rugby. Don't get upset because a player got a slap.

By Anonymous, at May 04, 2011 4:51 pm
The effect on points is still the same on the outcome of the game whether Nyanga did it on his own 5m or their own 5m

You score: +7
they score: -7

By cheyanqui, at May 04, 2011 6:14 pm
Intentionally held back? Not so sure, the scrum's dominating and moving forward to the right, Nyanga is still pushing forward when he grabs his opponent. Looks like it takes him a few seconds to understand he has to let go. Doesn't look intentional at all. Sometimes brain muscles are slow to respond in matches, especially a few hard hits.

But the smack in the face is an expected retaliation in this type of situation.

Nothing to see here, move along citizens.

By moddeur, at May 04, 2011 6:55 pm
@Kunstler
it's true : SOB is clearly not linked to the scrum when Doussain take the ball.

By Anonymous, at May 04, 2011 8:13 pm
This is simple rugby justice. It should be understood that if you commit a clearly cynical penalty, you will get some punishment. Nyanga got his punishment, therefore no need for him to be cited. O'Brien did not continue on beyond the initial strike, therefore no need for citing. I would be interested to see the next battle between these two players however. I suspect that the referee for that match, whenever it is held, will have a particular eye on the battle.

By Craig Burns, Boston, at May 04, 2011 8:29 pm
@moddeur

If you really think that, you are truly an idiot.

By Anonymous, at May 04, 2011 8:59 pm
It's really funny, you, most of English fans, are unable to face or to see the truth, what a pity. we can all see during England games or most of H cup games that English teams show a very ugly rugby : no great action, cheating on the rucks, such as Moody, Hartley and so on. But you think that us french people are pussies, cheaters...
I think that we play with our heart because that's the ideal of rugby and you play with your low blow,. whatever if it's fair or not I don't care.

By Anonymous, at May 05, 2011 12:02 am
Look tit head anonymous..

most people havent said 'YOU ARE CHEATERS!' they have said SOB shouldnt be cited or sent off because holding back is just wrong!

Everyone does it, french, english, NZ, Aus, SA etc etc etc...they all do it the fact is the simple action of holding a player back is wrong and should be punished by the referee, it is never punished by the ref therefore people take the law into their own hands!

So stop being daft and just accept nyanga whatever his nationality deserved a clout!

if it was the other way around i'd say SOB deserves a clout but it aint, therefore suck it up and deal with it...

By (u-p)rick, at May 05, 2011 12:35 am
It's really funny, you, most of French fans, are unable to face or to see the truth, what a pity. we can all see during French games or most of H cup games that French teams show a very ugly rugby : no great action, cheating on the rucks, such as Nyanga, Picamoles and so on. We french people are pussies, cheaters...
I think that you play withy our heart because that's the ideal of rugby and you play with your low blow,. whatever if it's fair or not I don't care.

By Anonymous, at May 05, 2011 1:17 am
Nyanga did what an open side flanker does and he paid a price for it.

Hardly a citing offence Nyanga made a bit of a meal of it anyway.

People saying Sean O'Brien broke early from the scrum well its not too often you see a flanker porperly binded at all (I remember McCaw picking a ball an scoring from a scrum while in a flanker position in last years tri nations).
Toulouse didnt need a penalty for an early break..they got 7 points anyway.

Personally I feel the lack of citing was one the IRB better decisions as justice was served on the pitch.

Better for rugby if this was the case more often

By SharkAttack, at May 05, 2011 1:17 am
In the old days people would laugh their arses off if you suggested a citing for this.
He got held back and give him an elbow for his trouble.
Too much soccer influence on the European game these days, players diving and rolling around on the ground, cynical cheating, fans calling for cards and bans.

Suck it up princesses!

By Anonymous, at May 05, 2011 1:45 am
Its funny how there's so many hardmen commenting on here, if that happened to you, you would've been knocked out cold... LOSERS!

By Anonymous, at May 05, 2011 5:35 am
Have YOU played rugby?
These things do happen. I've played and been elbowed, kneed, punched, headbutted, kicked and all the rest.
It is something that happens.
I don't remember anyone getting banned for anything really, but that was a few years ago.
It's just funny that now we cry for bans for something as innocuous as this.

By Jono, at May 05, 2011 9:05 am
I would've given him a dig as well. It's kinda how it works, it ain't tiddly winks fellas....

By btesco, at May 05, 2011 12:38 pm
I don't think it deserved a citing either but if there is to be any consistency in the citing process he should have got what POC got for the exact same offence.

By Anonymous, at May 05, 2011 2:28 pm
"It's really funny, you, most of English fans, are unable to face or to see the truth, what a pity. we can all see during England games or most of H cup games that English teams show a very ugly rugby : no great action, cheating on the rucks, such as Moody, Hartley and so on. But you think that us french people are pussies, cheaters...
I think that we play with our heart because that's the ideal of rugby and you play with your low blow,. whatever if it's fair or not I don't care."

Come here and will hug it out. Have the big boys been bullying you again.

By Anonymous, at May 05, 2011 2:55 pm
As a flanker myself, I would have been absolutely proud of either action.

Those decrying Nyanga's 'behaviour' are in desperate need of a reality check. Forwards (particularly flankers) indulging in the 'darker arts' has been going on as long as rugby itself.
It's nothing new. It's not 'football-esque'. It's not something which should be 'stamped out of the game'.
It's a part of the game and always has been, whether you like it or not.

With these 'dark arts' comes the anticipated risk of retaliation, in this case in the form of SOB's fist. Nyanga opened himself up to it, and SOB delivered what he felt was retribution.

In reality, you either punish neither or both men.
In my book I would chalk this one up as 50:50, give the citing commissioner a day off, and let them finish their respective seasons.

However, the ECB have set an awkward precedent with the POC/Thomas incident, and such should treat SOB equally. I don't necessarily agree with this, but banning SOB (and equally Nyanga) would at least show some degree of consistency from the ECB, which we are all obviously craving.

By Daaave, at May 05, 2011 3:18 pm
^^^ Dave, I have been moaning about Nyanga's actions because when another player reacts as SOB did, it normally results in them being sent off..

Ofcourse if referee's turned a blind eye like happened here then i have no problem, people will do what nyanga did and others will do as SOB will do and we'll have no problems...

By (u-p)rick, at May 05, 2011 4:51 pm
He should have hit him harder and broken his nose. The only cynical play was Nyanga obstruction on O'Brien. I personal would have done the same and i am a controlled person.

By ciaran, at May 06, 2011 3:47 pm
He deserve it!!!!!! It shouldn't be a try, but a penalty against!!!!

By Unknown, at May 06, 2011 6:50 pm
Nyanga = Drogba, diving all over the shop. If you go for a cheeky hold on a guy and it leads to a try its a risk you take!

By Kevin, at May 06, 2011 8:01 pm
dirty irish.

By Anonymous, at May 08, 2011 1:38 am
he wouldnt have stopped the try, he broke his bind anyhow, its a fair try and he got a fair clout for it

By roman, at May 08, 2011 3:43 am
Holiday period on RD????

I did found a good article for some of you:

http://www.teengrowth.com/index.cfm?action=info_article&ID_article=1348

RD, could have a new bilangual (French/English) sub session for angry teenager

Thanks in advance

By Flipje, at May 08, 2011 1:48 pm
Flipje, the worst part is, i followed that link, scanned through it for about 5 mins, came back here re-read your comment, then realised what you meant! ¬_¬ F*CK SAKE!

By (u-p)rick, at May 08, 2011 10:58 pm
Pity that Toulouse played the match that way. I followed both Leinster and Toulouse this year and if the all season would be sum up in one match Toulouse deserved to win...But well done Leinster, you bit thoses dirty frogs out of our HC

By Anonymous, at May 11, 2011 1:54 pm
Bla bla bla bla

Pity rugby with Leinster and Northampton in final

By Anonymous, at May 20, 2011 10:39 pm