Pick a card, were the All Blacks dealt a bad hand, asks NZ media
SONNY Bill Williams saw red and Mako Vunipola saw yellow.
In the wake of the Lions’ second Test victory over the All Blacks in Wellington much of the inquest into the 24-21 victory over the world champions centered around the Kiwi who was sent off and the English prop who wasn’t.
We look at what the scribes from the land of the long white cloud had to say. LIAM NAPIER (NEW ZEALAND HERALD) The Lions ought to be careful. They can’t have it both ways.
Last week Warren Gatland made a real song and dance about the All Blacks targeting Conor Murray.
This, of course, came on top of a plea for referees to crack down on blocking players from contesting high-ball kicks.
It’s all very well to throw out accusations. But if you are going to walk that tightrope, best to ensure your own glass house is squeaky clean. And on Saturday night in Wellington, the Lions’ was anything but.
Sure, Sonny Bill Williams copped a red card for his hit on Anthony Watson. At least that was dealt with. The Lions’ list of offenders was much longer.
We come to Lions prop Mako Vunipola. Twice he hit Beauden Barrett late without the ball. One minor; the other he was lucky to escape with a yellow card.
Whatever your view, rules in rugby are now such that head is completely off limits. Vunipola fair collected Barrett with his attempted cleanout. Given the context of the match, it was a brain explosion. RICHARD LOE (NEW ZEALAND HERALD) The Lions deserve congratulations for levelling the series against the All Blacks and, as countless northern hemisphere chums quickly pointed out to me by text, “you need to score tries to win Test matches”.
My Aussie mates are gloating too, so I’m a touch grumpy.
There’s no question Sonny Bill Williams’ red card had a huge impact. Any team would struggle to play almost 60 minutes with 14 players and win when the sides are so close.
He put unnecessary pressure on his teammates, but the one who’d be dirtiest would be Jerome Kaino, given he was dragged off in place of Ngani Laumape on debut so they could match them for numbers in the backline.
Then we saw what Mako Vunipola did with his shoulder to the head of Beauden Barrett in the second half. That should have been a red, too. I think it’s fair to demand consistency. But back to the Lions’ success. Their whole pack played with more intent, aggression and accuracy this week. They pushed the law to the limit at the collision and reaped the benefits.
In the wash-up, one fact remains: we’re in for a hell of a game next week. PHIL GIFFORD (STUFF.CO.NZ) There will, no doubt, now be endless discussion over whether French referee Jerome Garces should have sent off Sonny Bill Williams, and whether the decision played a role in the stunning victory for the Lions.
Some could argue that with Waisake Naholo holding Anthony Watson the situation was close enough to a maul, and that what Williams did was tantamount to the clearing out which is now part of the game.
The problem with that mitigating argument is that you can’t clear out a breakdown without your arms, just as you can’t make a tackle with just your shoulder.
And could I respectfully suggest that if anyone suggests that Williams’ actions indicated that only the All Blacks ever play the game dangerously they have another look at two deeply cynical attempts by Lions prop Mako Vunipola to damage Beauden Barrett. CHRIS RATTUE (NEW ZEALAND HERALD) The Lions won a glorious mess, and Sonny Bill Williams created one.
The Lions second Test victory has set up a mouth-watering third Test showdown, and that rarest of things in recent All Black history – selection debate.
And we may have Sonny Bill Williams to thank for this.
There was absolutely no excuse for what he did to Watson, and the match officials led by referee Jerome Garces are to be congratulated for sending him off.
Wellington is a shot across the All Blacks’ bows, a message that all is not as perfect as it seems.
The tourists stuck to their guns and received an enormous stroke of luck when Charlie Faumuina was penalised for tackling a leaping Kyle Sinckler in the air. The winning penalty came via luck they thoroughly deserved.
I thought it was a very unfortunate way for a Test to be decided. Players’ instincts are about making tackles, not pulling out of them. GREGOR PAUL (NEW ZEALAND HERALD) World Rugby has what it craves. It has the winner-takes-all, monumental series decider between the world’s number one side and a credible, authentic, genuine challenger that represents four key pillars of the Northern Hemisphere game.
The Lions have roared back and with one victory they have set up a scenario that will do themselves, the All Blacks and the credibility and sellability of international rugby an enormous amount of long-term good.
They have created the potential for Saturday’s audience to be huge. The hype, the excitement and the sense of occasion are now in comparison with a World Cup.