AB Test Team v France.

[dogmeat]

@higgins He went on tour as a first 5 even though he had only played 10 that year because John Dougan the regular Wtn first 5 was out injured. when the touring side was made he was named as Bob Burgess' back-up. Ahead of Dougan who had recovered from injury.

Then Burgess was injured before the test against Scotland? and Stephens filled in. He was retained for the next game as well England? but don't think he ever had a game at 1st5 again.

He was nuggetty little halfback but there were so many good/great competitors for the spot. Laidlaw, Going, Davies, Colling. He did get a couple of tours away with the AB's later on as a reserve half back and may have even got a test. I'm pretty sure he was the starting hb against Argentina for Mouries team - but they weren't official tests.

All I really remember of him was the hair and tache. I never really rated him as a hb and he lucked into the first 5 role I wouldn't say he had the versatility of Preston. I'm almost certain he didn't kick. That was usually the fullbacks responsibility.

Still he's an AB so big ups to the little man

[infidel]

A bit off topic the trip down memory lane here.

Ian "Nectar" Stevens was a pretty handy halfback from memory, a stalwart for Petone and the Wellington rep teams. And an AB. Principally a halfback for Wellington at least from memory.

Was in some good Wellington teams early 70s, Andy Leslie, Mark Sayers, Robbie Gray from MSP.

A couple of good articles here.

http://www.clubrugby.co.nz/wellington/story.php?id=1412

Halfback Ian Stevens (Petone) made his Wellington Lions debut straight out of School in 1967 and went on to play 112 games and remains Wellington’s second most capped back after Bernie Fraser.

Taking over from Brian Coulter who helped Wellington beat the Springboks and British Lions in 1965 and 1966, Stevens played in Wellington’s famous drawn 12-12 Ranfurly Shield challenge against Hawke’s Bay in 1967, received an All Black trial that same year and made the New Zealand U23 side in 1968. Stevens also played a lot at first five-eighth, initially moved there as injury cover for John Dougan and then played so well there he made the 1972 All Blacks at pivot, eventually playing 13 of his 30 All Blacks games at first five-eighth, and also one game as captain (at halfback).

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/5471781/Savage-clashes-marked-1970-Springboks-series

In a photo here but not sure which team this is. Good yarn with Fergie.

[taniwharugby]

so apparently Gardner has apologized to SBW saying he shouldn't have carded him...?

This is gold:

"I remember laying on the ground. I looked up at (Damian McKenzie) and I said 'bro, am I allowed to do that?' He looked at me and he shook his head."

http://www.radiosport.co.nz/sport-news/rugby/sonny-bill-admits-he-didnt-know-rules/

[Hooroo]

@taniwharugby said in AB Test Team v France.:

so apparently Gardner has apologized to SBW saying he shouldn't have carded him...?

This is gold:

"I remember laying on the ground. I looked up at (Damian McKenzie) and I said 'bro, am I allowed to do that?' He looked at me and he shook his head."

http://www.radiosport.co.nz/sport-news/rugby/sonny-bill-admits-he-didnt-know-rules/

That's excellent!

[Crucial]

@taniwharugby said in AB Test Team v France.:

so apparently Gardner has apologized to SBW saying he shouldn't have carded him...?

This is gold:

"I remember laying on the ground. I looked up at (Damian McKenzie) and I said 'bro, am I allowed to do that?' He looked at me and he shook his head."

http://www.radiosport.co.nz/sport-news/rugby/sonny-bill-admits-he-didnt-know-rules/

Angus doesn't know the laws himself then.

"A penalty try must be awarded if the offence prevents a try that would probably otherwise have been scored. A player who prevents a try being scored through foul play must either be cautioned and temporarily suspended or sent off."

The questionable part of the decision is the penalty try. Once that is confirmed he has to send SBW off.

[No Quarter]

I am very surprised by that apology. The decision was absolutely bang on and (I thought) showed a good knowledge of the laws at the time.

[booboo]

@crucial said in AB Test Team v France.:

@taniwharugby said in AB Test Team v France.:

so apparently Gardner has apologized to SBW saying he shouldn't have carded him...?

This is gold:

"I remember laying on the ground. I looked up at (Damian McKenzie) and I said 'bro, am I allowed to do that?' He looked at me and he shook his head."

http://www.radiosport.co.nz/sport-news/rugby/sonny-bill-admits-he-didnt-know-rules/

Angus doesn't know the laws himself then.

"A penalty try must be awarded if the offence prevents a try that would probably otherwise have been scored. A player who prevents a try being scored through foul play must either be cautioned and temporarily suspended or sent off."

The questionable part of the decision is the penalty try. Once that is confirmed he has to send SBW off.

Wasn't questionable. Clearest PT since Cribb tackled Burke.

[dK]

@crucial said in AB Test Team v France.:

@taniwharugby said in AB Test Team v France.:

so apparently Gardner has apologized to SBW saying he shouldn't have carded him...?

This is gold:

"I remember laying on the ground. I looked up at (Damian McKenzie) and I said 'bro, am I allowed to do that?' He looked at me and he shook his head."

http://www.radiosport.co.nz/sport-news/rugby/sonny-bill-admits-he-didnt-know-rules/

Angus doesn't know the laws himself then.

"A penalty try must be awarded if the offence prevents a try that would probably otherwise have been scored. A player who prevents a try being scored through foul play must either be cautioned and temporarily suspended or sent off."

The questionable part of the decision is the penalty try. Once that is confirmed he has to send SBW off.

There is discretion, so SBW did not necessarily need to be yellow carded, but yeah, definite penalty try

[taniwharugby]

@no-quarter actually I think he got it wrong initially by having to go to the TMO to decide on the YC as he had only awarded the PT to start with.

However as I have alluded to earlier, I think in this instance, the PT rule is wrong but they aren't gonna change the rule for a case like this.

[Bovidae]

@dk said in AB Test Team v France.:

There is discretion, so SBW did not necessarily need to be yellow carded, but yeah, definite penalty try

Refer to the Maori-French Baabaas game for another example, it is always a PT and YC.

The important point is that a player only has to have prevented try from PROBABLY being scored by a high tackle, a deliberate knock-down (or whatever).

[antipodean]

Gardner doesn't have a good grasp of the laws. Recall TJP managing to convince him he should be able to take the penalty again after failing to take the quick tap correctly. It should have been a scrum to the opposition.

[KiwiMurph]

@antipodean still by the far the best ref in the Southern Hemisphere though.

[Stargazer]

@stargazer said in AB Test Team v France.:

French flanker Kévin Gourdon has been cited for a dangerous tackle during the game v the All Blacks. He has to appear before World Rugby's Judicial Commission on Tuesday.

France flanker Gourdon cleared of foul play

LONDON (AP) — France flanker Kevin Gourdon was cleared by World Rugby on Tuesday after being cited for a dangerous shoulder charge in the 38-18 loss to the All Blacks.

A three-person disciplinary committee decided there was no foul play by Gourdon on Saturday in Paris, and dismissed the complaint by the World Rugby citing commissioner.

Gourdon was free to play for France, which meets South Africa on Saturday.

[Bones]

Maybe SBW is mistaken and Gardiner said he's sorry about the card, but that thems the rules.

[Crucial]

@dk said in AB Test Team v France.:

@crucial said in AB Test Team v France.:

@taniwharugby said in AB Test Team v France.:

so apparently Gardner has apologized to SBW saying he shouldn't have carded him...?

This is gold:

"I remember laying on the ground. I looked up at (Damian McKenzie) and I said 'bro, am I allowed to do that?' He looked at me and he shook his head."

http://www.radiosport.co.nz/sport-news/rugby/sonny-bill-admits-he-didnt-know-rules/

Angus doesn't know the laws himself then.

"A penalty try must be awarded if the offence prevents a try that would probably otherwise have been scored. A player who prevents a try being scored through foul play must either be cautioned and temporarily suspended or sent off."

The questionable part of the decision is the penalty try. Once that is confirmed he has to send SBW off.

There is discretion, so SBW did not necessarily need to be yellow carded, but yeah, definite penalty try

"Cautioned and temporarily suspended" means YC.
"Cautioned and sent off" means RC

[Crucial]

@booboo said in AB Test Team v France.:

@crucial said in AB Test Team v France.:

@taniwharugby said in AB Test Team v France.:

so apparently Gardner has apologized to SBW saying he shouldn't have carded him...?

This is gold:

"I remember laying on the ground. I looked up at (Damian McKenzie) and I said 'bro, am I allowed to do that?' He looked at me and he shook his head."

http://www.radiosport.co.nz/sport-news/rugby/sonny-bill-admits-he-didnt-know-rules/

Angus doesn't know the laws himself then.

"A penalty try must be awarded if the offence prevents a try that would probably otherwise have been scored. A player who prevents a try being scored through foul play must either be cautioned and temporarily suspended or sent off."

The questionable part of the decision is the penalty try. Once that is confirmed he has to send SBW off.

Wasn't questionable. Clearest PT since Cribb tackled Burke.

I agree. Said so at the time.
Should have written "possible questionable" as the rest is in the law book.

[KiwiMurph]

@booboo said in AB Test Team v France.:

@crucial said in AB Test Team v France.:

@taniwharugby said in AB Test Team v France.:

so apparently Gardner has apologized to SBW saying he shouldn't have carded him...?

This is gold:

"I remember laying on the ground. I looked up at (Damian McKenzie) and I said 'bro, am I allowed to do that?' He looked at me and he shook his head."

http://www.radiosport.co.nz/sport-news/rugby/sonny-bill-admits-he-didnt-know-rules/

Angus doesn't know the laws himself then.

"A penalty try must be awarded if the offence prevents a try that would probably otherwise have been scored. A player who prevents a try being scored through foul play must either be cautioned and temporarily suspended or sent off."

The questionable part of the decision is the penalty try. Once that is confirmed he has to send SBW off.

Wasn't questionable. Clearest PT since Cribb tackled Burke.

About the only tackle he ever made.

[pakman]

@kiwimurph he had abet with Flavell that he could make them.

[kiwiinmelb]

@bones said in AB Test Team v France.:

Maybe SBW is mistaken and Gardiner said he's sorry about the card, but that thems the rules.

Thats what i thought , he probably said something along the lines of sorry to have to do that to you mate , but didnt mention it was the wrong decision ,

SBW jumps to the wrong conclusion ,

later , Gardiner is probably reading it in the media , and thinking you fucking dickhead , I didnt say that .