‘It is what it is’ – Cam Roigard breaks his silence after simulation accusation in Hurricanes’ semi-final triumph over Blues
Cameron Roigard and Beauden Barrett during the Super Rugby Pacific semi-final between the Hurricanes and Blues.
Hurricanes scrum-half Cam Roigard has defended his actions in the build-up to his team’s first try in their Super Rugby Pacific semi-final win over the Blues in Wellington on Saturday.
The home side secured their spot in next weekend’s final against the Chiefs courtesy of an emphatic 57-21 triumph with Roigard in the thick of the action from the outset.
In the second minute at Hnry Stadium, Blues playmaker Beauden Barrett kicked ahead over the Hurricanes‘ first line of defence before giving chase. He then collided with fellow All Blacks star Roigard, who was in the air while gathering the ball.
Roigard fell to the ground and lay as if he was injured, with players from both sides checking on his well-being.
Launched an attack which set up Hurricanes’ try
He then jumped to his feet, took a quick tap and sprinted into open field before running close to the Blues 22 where he got a pass out to Ruben Love, who linked up with Billy Proctor before the phase ended close to his opponents’ try-line.
Roigard then got a pass out to Jordie Barrett, who crossed for the opening try.
However, unhappy fans on social media slammed Roigard’s actions saying it was similar to football-esque diving and simulation.
The 17-Test All Black said after the match that while he was laying on the ground, he heard Love asking for the ball and assumed there was an opportunity to launch an attack.
Roigard then jumped to his feet before taking the quick tap which eventually resulted in Barrett’s try and revealed that he wasn’t aware that his decision was heavily criticised.
All Blacks: Cam Roigard slammed for ‘disgusting’ football antics in Hurricanes’ semi-final victory
“I’m probably not the one who’s meant to be taking the high ball so it was kind of going straight on my head so I wasn’t able to jump square and into Baz, so I fell a bit ugly,” he told Newstalk ZB.
“When something like that happens, there’s usually a fight or a bit of a push-and-shove kind of thing. So, I was just waiting for that and making sure I was all good, because you never know if you fall funny.
“Then Rubes was asking for the ball so I was like that must mean something’s on so I got up, had a look, and no one was in the middle so I thought I might as well just go.
‘It is what it is’
“I don’t think I was milking it. I know everybody’s having a crack online, but it is what it is. To be fair, if I stayed down or didn’t take the quick tap, he might have gotten a yellow card anyway.
“It’s not here nor there, but I don’t regret it. It is what is it. It’s footy.”
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Roigard was, once again, one of the Hurricanes’ best performers as he was at the forefront of their onslaught with an outstanding attacking performance.
The 25-year-old eventually gained 79 metres from six runs which included two clean breaks, three defenders beaten, that try assist for Barrett and a five-pointer of his own.
