Tim Boys defends under-fire Stags captain
He has probably got the most passion for Southland than any other player I’ve played with. Just one small thing like that and people have been pretty tough on him, I think.
Veteran Stags flanker Tim Boys has gone into bat for his good mate and captain Jamie Mackintosh, saying people should remember just what he has done for the province.
Mackintosh was ordered off the field in Southland’s 61-7 rugby loss to Otago in Dunedin on Saturday following his forearm contact to Otago prop Hisa Sasagi’s face.
What has followed is a barrage of criticism directed from Stags fans towards Mackintosh on social media. Many have gone as far as saying he should be replaced as Southland captain.
Boys felt the backlash towards Mackintosh was ‘‘average’’.
He added Mackintosh was the best captain he had played under and was a big reason why he is in Southland playing for the Stags.
‘‘Whoppa has been a leader for Southland for so many years and I think people forget what he has done. We’ve had some glory years with the Ranfurly Shield, and last year we beat Canterbury in my 100th game. He has been a massive part of my career and has probably been the best captain I’ve had,’’ Boys said.
‘‘He has probably got the most passion for Southland than any other player I’ve played with. Just one small thing like that and people have been pretty tough on him, I think. ‘‘We didn’t lose because of him. is not his fault we lost. The
It players are not blaming him at all.’’
Boys could not fault Mackintosh’s leadership.
‘‘A lot of people don’t see the hard work he puts in. He would put in probably another 10 hours a week extra than the other players – just being captain and going over with coaches, analysing the games, and integrating players.
‘‘He is a real good people person and he gets things across well. He is a very good speaker.’’
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Mackintosh is still awaiting a date for his judiciary hearing to find out if there will be any further punishment on top of the 55 minutes he missed against Otago
Tim Boys
on Saturday. Mackintosh and the Stags management will not make any further comment on the incident itself until the judicial hearing runs its course. The hearing is expected to be held in the middle of the week.
Straight after the game Mackintosh told media he was disappointed by what unfolded on Saturday.
‘‘I let my mates down. It was not my intention at all. I just got checked. He ran into me,’’ he said.
‘‘At the end of the day I’m embarrassed. It is a red card. I would have loved it to go upstairs. I just wanted to have a look at it. I didn’t punch someone in the head. But he [referee Jamie Nutbrown] had made his mind up.
‘‘I don’t want to be remembered for stuff like that. It was a major turning point in the game and we never recovered from it.’’