The Silver Fern

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Pot Hale" data-cid="566157" data-time="1458473024">
<div>
<p>It's not semantics if you're saying he feigned injury - that means he faked being injured in the head.    </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I was pointing out that he was injured in the head by the player that happened to throw him.  </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Since the whole thing from knee in back of head to clutching head in same spot happened in about 2-3 secs, I think saying "then he competed for the ball a bit, and then Dunbar threw him" is  a bit misleading.  He was already competing for the ball when Dunbar arrived into ruck at speed, kneeing Sexton forcefully in the back of head whilst grabbing hold of Sexton and throwing him.  </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Protesting to referee ain't nice whenever any player does it, but it happens all the time in the game these days unfortunately.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>You know what, at full speed you're right, my comment about competing for the ball a bit is misleading.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>But when I watch the clip (here: <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://bit.ly/1T2Zcr0'>http://bit.ly/1T2Zcr0</a>) he seems to get the knee on the front left of his head but goes down clutching the top back right part of his head. That doesn't make sense. Claiming to be hurt somewhere other than where you were actually hurt - I don't doubt the knee hurt - is still feigning injury. That he clutched the part of his head that would've hit the ground from the reckless clear-out if he wasn't so lucky isn't protesting to the referee, it's trying to con him.  </p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Pot Hale" data-cid="565937" data-time="1458415429">
<div>
<p>He didn't feign injury. He got a blow to the head from Dunbar's knee - by accident - as he arrived at breakdown and then Dunbar threw him.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Or more accurately; he got a blow to the head from Dunbar's knee - by accident -  as he arrived a the breakdown, then he competed for the ball for a bit and then Dunbar - very recklessly - threw him, then he appealed for the penalty and only then did he clutch his head. Ignoring the semantics of whether that's feigning injury or not, I think it's pathetic and is not something I enjoy seeing in rugby.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>That aside I think Ireland do have some decent players coming through and will build nicely over the coming seasons. I enjoyed watching Scotland try and mix things up. Wales, for all their experience and players, are often brainless in attack. France's problems aren't limited to finding a decent 10 but that alone would move them forward massively. Italy need a lot of long term support to become competitive. England were by far the best team and deserved winners. </p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Catogrande" data-cid="565305" data-time="1458251469">
<div>
<p>The Gypsy Boy story seems to have legs. The 6N judiciary had a look at it, decided it was a heat of the moment thing and noted that Marler had apologised as soon as he really could, which Lee accepted. The WRU have now expressed 'surprise' at the decision. World rugby have decided to demand that 6N Rugby explains its decision and the whole thing just gets bigger and bigger. The only person to come out of this with any dignity is Samson Lee. Accepted the apology and has since kept his mouth shut. To be fair Gatland tried to play a straight bat but has since had to retract his comments due, I expect, to political pressure.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>FFS move on. Lee has.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>The WRU comment was issued in response to them being asked to provide statements about their position on racism in the game by the Welsh press. Just like everyone else it was an attempt to avoid being dragged into the "was it racism" argument. After all, it was a surprising decision given the guidance on verbal abuse and if the WRU wanted to sidestep the question and put the focus elsewhere then so be it. Also, if you read Gatland's retraction all he is really saying is that he's sorry he used the word "banter" but otherwise wants to move on.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Eddie Jones' baiting of the WRU on this was and is naive. I can see he's trying to deflect attention off his player but he's only keeping the story alive. </p>