VIDEO: Rocky Elsom 'tries' to break Conrad Smith’s neck, no action taken, but Warburton red carded?

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 10:36a.m.

Conrad Smith is bent in two by Rocky Elsom

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Opinion by Greg Robertson

Consistency. That’s what the fans, players and I’m sure the IRB’s top dog referee controller wants from his referees.

But consistency is not what anyone is getting.

The Welsh were fuming at the sending off of their captain Sam Warburton in the semifinal clash against France – a moment in time that in my mind cost Wales the match and a place in the final.

Roll the camera on one day from that point to the other semi and you’ll find Australian Rocky Elsom bend All Blacks centre Conrad Smith in two – intentionally.

But Elsom’s antics have hardly been mentioned. It was missed by all three referees and it seems the judicial system didn’t even feel it worthwhile to bring Elsom in front of them to face after-match charges.

So on one hand you have a Wales captain who picked up a player, realised he was in the wrong and dropped any maliciousness (and the player). And on the other hand you have someone who absolutely 100% man-handles a player in such a way that a very serious injury could have occurred but gets away with it Scot-free? I'm not actually saying there was an actual intention to break Smith's neck, but there was some maliciousness on his mind, for sure.

Does that seem fair to you? And when it comes to refereeing, we all know what happened following the turmoil with ref Nigel Owens and the Samoans.

Then we have the All Blacks taking on the French at Eden Park this Sunday in the final. The French, a team most Kiwis have packed their pants over since the whole Wayne Barnes saga. That was a match where consistency was lacking by the referee and both teams.

Pure and simple, Elsom should not be in the third and fourth play-off match – and he isn’t, but not through any imposed regulation but by missing selection.

Pure and simple, I pray this weekend we have a result that Kiwis do not feel the need to point fingers following a referee-induced result.

I also pray for consistency. Is that too much to ask?

Watch the video for the Elsom tackle on Smith.

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Comments [31]

26/10/2011 6:00:42 a.m.

Australia are filthy! Well done to the Kiwi's. Pity about Wales, boys played with heart. Quade Cooper, what a baboon! Rubbish world cup though, didn't enjoy it at all. One or two games that were good. There were a few refs that just don't know whats going on.

the birdman

25/10/2011 3:10:27 p.m.

come on people, im a through in through AB supporter, but you guys obviously havent played the game at senior level. smith even gives him a cheeky smile at the end. i think that would have hurt more. either that or his parents calling him rocky............. This is a mans game, so man up.

Gary

21/10/2011 5:27:39 p.m.

And another thing....it would have been poetic justice if aussie and the frogs played it out for third place....the boat bombers versus the convicts. Wales as worthy runners up, and the ALL BLACKS as worthy champions.

Gary

21/10/2011 5:24:13 p.m.

The only level thing about aussie supporters is that they are well balanced people.......they have chips on both shoulders. The action by meathead rocky, is plainly vindictive and spiteful, because of being beaten by a clearly superior team, and the aussies just hate that. When it comes to the crunch, they are gutless, convict mentality, underarm bowlers who cant accept defeat graciously, without resorting to thuggery. Wales, on the other hand, are much better men morally and emotionally. They fought with only 14 men, and should have won. I hope they destroy the yellow backed aussies, and they wont need to resort to 'rocky' style thuggery either.

Santos

21/10/2011 1:39:40 p.m.

I Bet if this was a new zealander doing it to an aussie nobody would care.Kiwis would most probably even say it was legal

Yella

21/10/2011 1:30:13 p.m.

Hey 'neutral"...If ANZAC still means anything then why is Rocky intentionally assaulting Conrad. Oh yeah...thats why he is in the team....."a bit of muscle" running around looking for the opportunity to assault someone. This is at the very least a head high tackle although clearly it is more than that. At this stage the ball was already out in the backs. Nothing will come of this..he will not be cited. It is disturbing how some people are OK with this type of behaviour. However, he can never hide from this and it will be remembered..........Rocky lacks integrity and at his age is not likely to ever gain any. "Rocky".....dense stuff, rock

fletcher

21/10/2011 9:51:43 a.m.

Rocky good on ya mate,you be fitting to wear a yala colored shirt! the biggest sore loser could of been very dangerous, luky conrad is a better man than you and can handle the jandel.. or shall i say thong.... go get a perm!!

Glen

21/10/2011 9:32:52 a.m.

Rockhead needs to be banned from Rugby after doing that.Someone needs to ask how the Asstralian Wannabies are always getting away with things like this.First we had Quade Cooper trying to break Richies kneck with his knee and now this..Far worse than a player lifting in a tackle , and done delibratly with all intent to injure a player...

neutral

21/10/2011 8:26:20 a.m.

I cant believe this! The kiwis won fair and square i will admit...but calling Australians and there team hollow thugs? Suggesting only they are malicious? And then blatantly gloating over a win in Fortress Eden? It is disgusting and in my mind just as offensive as a dirty tackle. It truly disgusts me. I had hope firstly ANZAC still meant something and secondly that kiwis had more morality and dignity themselves. Bragging rights is one thing but this is another. And yes i agree he deserves to be cited..

allblacksrule

20/10/2011 11:49:55 p.m.

wish this was being done to cooper blooper - hey so how does elsom miss out but cooper still plays, aussies played terribly - an embarrassment, i saw this and it made me so damn happy that they lost because of it