Aaron Cruden: Had a laser beam shone in his face
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen is not upset about an incident in which a laser was shone into Aaron Cruden's face in Saturday's Test against Argentina.
Cruden was about to convert Cory Jane's hat-trick try in the 54-15 win in La Plata when a laser beam flashed across his face.
"It's just one of those things," Hansen told the New Zealand Herald.
"You just have to let it go. It's not a big deal. It concerns me more when they do it to pilots when they're flying a plane.
"One individual's actions can be held against everybody, because there are idiots everywhere."
Cruden, who came on as a replacement for Dan Carter late in the match, said he saw a ray of light on the grass when he was preparing to take the place kick.
He said he was more concerned about focusing on taking the kick and added that his vision was not impaired.
"I saw a laser light on the ground actually, that sort of shot through my mind that maybe they were trying to put me off," explained Cruden.
"I just tried to focus on the ball and strike it and luckily it went over.
"I didn't feel anything in my vision, I just saw the laser light down on the ground with the ball.
"I've seen that done before watching a Test match and the crowd is trying to put you off a bit.
"I've never had that before but I've seen it on telly. It's a bit of a shame when things like that happen but you've just got to sort of be the bigger man and put it past you I suppose.
"Especially with it being the last play it was a bit of a shame but you can't control what the crowd does. You just have to go out there and do what you can do."
Comments
Toulousain says...
that's totally fine kiwidiver. you are gentleman and a scholar. and i respect your pov!
Posted 09:14 04th October 2012
Kiwidiver says...
Yep, massive cheats - all of us Kiwis. In fact Georgesmith, you're probably onto something here...when NZ is allowed to play the way they do by every ref at the very top level, it's obvious that there is some kind of conspiracy going on here - especially when none of the other top teams are guilty of doing the same thing. Perhaps you should publish your theories, you can probably back it up with some of Tolousain's footage. (incidentally Tolouse, is it okay that I disagree with your POV?!? - Can I have a perspective too?!? - You seem to be getting pretty upset when someone calls you out).
By the way, Grat's to Die Bokken - climbing to #2 in the IRB rankings. Got a sinking feeling they may pull out the win that they deserved in Dunners. GOOOOOO AB's!!!!!!!
Posted 16:17 03rd October 2012
Toulousain says...
@porridge_time, if it didn't make sense, it wld not tickle your interest, or provoke your response. "horse water tower all blacks al jazeera very much good morning". that doesn't make sense. it's just a collection of words with no meaning. it in no way challenges your comfortable view of the world. spot the difference?
@goldenstate_nba. thank you for your reasoned and considered post. i too admire the comment from the pumas fan you mention. i admire it, as you do, because it captures the essence of good sportsmanship. however, i'm afraid many nz trolls here just accept it since it does not jar with their POV. they (mistakenly) assume they would have the same manners if faced with an AB defeat. except, as we know, they really wouldn't. has the world every seen a worse case of bad sportsmanship than after 2007 QF?
respectfully, i need to pick you up on my apparent self-contradiction. i am not saying the laser incident is no big deal. in fact, i think it is a big deal. potentially very dangerous. what i am remarking on is the apparent need/desire by some NZ press to always "create a villain", and construct a narrative whereby the ABs somehow "rise above the villainous action". why do that? there is really no need. the ABs are fine players. they don't need to be beatified in the process.
i understand it makes for a better story. but i'm afraid it plays to the masses. and we see the consequences daily on these pages. the slightest airing of a non-AB POV is met with the aggressive conviction of moonies.
as i have (i believe ably) demonstrated on the other page (somewhat deliberately, i accept), there are posters here who feel it is their duty to wipe clean the pages of PR of any alternative viewpoint. they are literally policing the content via gang aggression. a strange kind of vigilantism. surely the quality of ABs rugby speaks for itself?
Posted 08:19 03rd October 2012
porridge_time says...
it's like someone who's only ever heard al jazeera, and suddenly picks up bbc world service or ap reuters.
No it's not. You and georgesmith's posts resemble tips from an Idiots Guide to Moronic Posting on Sports Forums... taken from the chapter titled 'Jealous of the Other Team'.
Nothing you type makes sense... but please keep it coming as it's highly entertaining in skewed perspective kind of way.
Posted 03:57 03rd October 2012
golden_statenba says...
Ok cant believe I'm getting involved with this but,
With all due respect Toulousian you said this before this story came out and I quote
"such a contrast to eden park RWC final didn't you think? it shld make you ashamed, unless you are in denial still?"
Now i'm sure there were some stupid jock rugby fans at Eden Park as there are at Stade de France as there are at Twickenham as there are at Ellis Park but you are contradicting yourself when you say and I quote
"if it's no big deal, why are they talking about it?"
Also Henson is no bringing it up he is answering a question posed to him by the press.
Now yes you are allowed your opinion as everyone is and I do think some people take others opinion a bit to seriously but sometimes you just have to sit back and admire people like this Argentinian fan on the ABs v Pumas review where there are so many negative(in my opinion)posts being written.
Thank god Argentina are in this comp and there are fans like PAMPA
"Congratulation All Blacks, they gave us a Master Class of Rugby Union, and showed way their are THE CHAMPIONS... I hope next year will be better for Los Pumas (my team). We loved de Haka in La Plata.
See you in 2013"
Posted 19:48 02nd October 2012
Toulousain says...
glad you can see more than just your point of view porridge_time.
it's like someone who's only ever heard al jazeera, and suddenly picks up bbc world service or ap reuters.
welcome to perspective!
Posted 14:57 02nd October 2012
porridge_time says...
georgetoulsmithsain...
Some more envy based drivel from you pair of Loony Tunes.
Posted 11:55 02nd October 2012
Toulousain says...
if it's no big deal, why are they talking about it? "to sort of be the bigger man.. i suppose." how big of you. thanks for clearing that up. winning not enough for you?
just imagine the pumas coach making a similar comment about a nz crowd. "some-one spat at us, but it's no big deal. you just have to be the bigger man, you know" hehehehe. that would really go down well!!!
Posted 10:38 02nd October 2012
tha_mai says...
ArmchairGeneral - minor stuff when it's just a shot at goal, but temporarily blinds the pilot when approaching to land. It's not only the direct hit to the eyes, when the laser hits the polycorbonate windshield of a plane/helicopter it causes it to "green" over. World-wide - USA up to 25-years jail . Numerous examples in UK - they have a specific law for this after over 20 first 6mths this year, and NZ has had its share of idiots - most recently just 5 weeks ago. Up to 14yrs jail but he only got 4mths.
But just one fool in the crowd, and as we see - every crowd as hits share.
Posted 00:42 02nd October 2012
georgesmith says...
Test rugby involving ABs is becoming a big fat joke because of the massive cheating by this team. ABs cheated against France in the world cup final and they continue to do so this season.
Posted 00:22 02nd October 2012
paulynz says...
Good response. Nothing to see here, move on please...
Posted 20:02 01st October 2012
atg77 says...
Argentinian supporters have a history of this stuff. When OZ played there in '97 they had missiles thrown at them throughout the game.
Posted 17:02 01st October 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
how would you do it to a pilot flying a plane?
Posted 13:29 01st October 2012