In hot water: Adam Thomson
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All Blacks flanker Adam Thomson has been cited for stamping on Scotland lock Alasdair Strokosch during Sunday's Test match at Murrayfield.
Thomson was sent to the sin-bin by referee Jerome Garces in the 43rd-minute on advice from touch judge Simon McDowell and will face a disciplinary hearing in London on Wednesday.
Scotland head coach Andy Robinson said after the game he believes Thomson should have been given a straight red card.
If suspended, Thomson could be sidelined for anything between three and eight weeks, ruling him out of Saturday's Test against Italy as well as the clashes with Wales and England.
Comments
Trader2 says...
Well Higginbotham got 4 weeks for punching, kneeing and headbutting, was Thompsons tap worse? Don't think so, so he may get off with 2 weeks but who knows. Anyway touching the scone is a no no and he was a very silly boy but it would be a shame to end his AB career this way. I rate him, you just have to watch the work he did on Sunday (not the head tap) around the park, not spectacular but always there or abouts.
Posted 23:25 12th November 2012
paulynz says...
@philipjfry
Looks like you're on your own here...
Posted 22:44 12th November 2012
trelawney says...
@APV1 I entirely agree with you on this. There are some others posting saying that it was NOT malicious - rubbish.. What would have happened if Strokosh had NOT been wearing a scrum cap - a very bad head wound could possibly have resulted.
@jmanngod - you are an absolute wanker! Why don't you read the posts from AB followers?
Posted 22:36 12th November 2012
golden_statenba says...
Sounds like some people on here are crying about this more then the guy who actually got rucked lol
"I would say the yellow card's fine. I wouldn't take it any further. It wasn't a big deal," said Strokosch"
Guess that's why he is playing the game and we are tip taping on our keyboards.
Anyway get rid of Thomson I'm all for that. He is a hothead and to be honest the ABs don't need him.
I think most supporters would be happy to see him go. Maybe he and Greyling could go to anger management together...or take up chess?
Posted 21:47 12th November 2012
boksmashoffice says...
I think Thompson could have played his last game for the AB's. My understanding is he is not renewing his coontract or no contract has been offered. Not the terms you want to depart on
Posted 21:07 12th November 2012
StunTheMullet says...
Knees to the head, headbutts and flying elbows to Sir Richies head have only resulted in a couple of weeks this year.
While elbows and clotheslines round Sir Richies face haven't even been cited in previous NH visits
So a little tap with the foot should just be a high five from the judiciary for the referee not doing anything about someome blatantly lying on the ball.
Nevertheless because it is an All Black in the NH it will undoubtedly need to be 2 years suspension and a public flogging.
Posted 20:21 12th November 2012
philipjfry says...
Hang on hang on, why turn on me for pointing out the obvious? But clearly I've struck a nerve so I'll stop there.
@Mime: Same sport, so same ball park.
@ruckingkiwi: I'd like to see you try ;)
Posted 20:18 12th November 2012
suntzu says...
Foot to the head of a player however offside, off his feet, lying on the ball he is = red
It's reckless and not within the rules of the game however physical they may be. This should be dealt with appropriately as otherwise you will have players at lower levels thinking it is fine to do similar things and accidents that could have been prevented will happen.
Intent is not dealt with on the pitch, on the pitch the ref should deal with what he sees. The citing commissioner will deal with the intent as he has the time to review the play and hear the player.
Yes Stockosch was lying over the ball, and could very well have been penalized but there are no excuses for dangerous/reckless play. Rugby is by nature dangerous and there are reasons why these rules exist. You can have a physical game and limit the danger generated by useless acts outside of the law...
Posted 20:12 12th November 2012
Trinats2 says...
jmanngod says...
Scotland player, all over the ball... given the gentlest of reminders.... NH goes nuts... PRICELESS!
You would know all about "all over the ball" being a kiwi. Funny you have a different tune when it's not McCaw that was touched up!!!
Posted 20:12 12th November 2012
philipjfry says...
@paulynz: I'm afraid it is true, just accept it.
Posted 19:49 12th November 2012
boksmashoffice says...
It was silly what he did. Should have been a red card. In the modern game you cannot go near a players head regardless of what he is up to. I am sure king Ritchie would have got a few to the head if 'old school rucking was allowed'.
Posted 19:26 12th November 2012
leebok says...
Dirty.. Typical tactics, unfortunately this time it was caught on camera.
Posted 19:23 12th November 2012
ruckingkiwi says...
Like Hanson said, not malicious but still poor judgement and worthy of a suspension, no complaints from here.
philipjfry, hardly comparable, maybe if Thompson had jumped across the ruck to ruck his head then it'd be comparable but he didn't so shut it, or I'll ruck your head :)
Posted 19:10 12th November 2012
Mime says...
@ philipfry Compareing this to Greyling's hit on McCaw shows you to be a one eyed fool. Not even in the same ball park.
On saying that I hope they through the book at him. As an All Black supporter would rather see punishments handed out that makes players think twice, rather than the damp buss tickets that seem to have been handed out this year.
Posted 18:47 12th November 2012
marko72 says...
@Chubby lugs
Oh Feck Off will you!!
Heaslip rightly got a red last year for kneeing your precious McCaw (who was lying all over the ball preventing quick release in the red zone) in the head. McCaw didn't require as much as a soggy sponge to the injury, however Barnes made the only decision available to him. It doesn't matter to what degree the player is injured or not it is about optics and being seen to come down hard on law transgressors.
While I don't believe Thompson is a dirty player or meant any harm he had no business making contact with a players head with his studs.
Simples
Posted 18:45 12th November 2012
paulynz says...
@philipjfry
Not at all condoning what Thomson did, it was stupid but not malicious and I can't see him playing again on tour. If he's not suspended I believe that the team will stand him down.
But most of what you've said is simply not true and you know it!!
Posted 18:25 12th November 2012
jmanngod says...
Scotland player, all over the ball... given the gentlest of reminders.... NH goes nuts... PRICELESS!
Posted 17:47 12th November 2012
Chubbylugs says...
Foot on head contact should be punished regardless of how hard the impact. This was clearly intentional as well as brainless
Posted 17:35 12th November 2012
hybrid187 says...
Yeah even as an ABs fan I must say I was disgusted with that act. He didnt stomp on his head, thank "god", but intentionally putting your boot on the head of another man is asking for trouble. Probably shoulda been a red as well.
Posted 17:26 12th November 2012
philipjfry says...
Dirty play, up there with Greyling's hit on McCaw in Dunedin. ABs clearly not immune to a bit of thuggery themselves.
Posted 16:51 12th November 2012