THAT DANGEROUS TACKLE FROM WILLIAMS DESERVED A BAN...?

I saw the tackle happen live on Sunday, in the Super Rugby game between the Sharks and the Crusaders and my immediate reaction was that Sonny Bill Williams will get a certain ban...!

BUT...It is amazing how certain countries seem to be favoured when these kind of offenses happen on a rugby field? If that was somebody like a Bakkies Botha or a Schalk Burger? Surely they would have received an immediate ban of at least 2 weeks - What is up with this SANZAR?

This has to stop now...?

(Read more...) http://www.sport24.co.za

SANZAR’s attempts to establish a consistent, fair and open citing system took a massive step backwards when All Black midfielder Sonny Bill Williams escaped punishment for a dangerous and high tackle on Sharks No8 Ryan Kankowski during Sunday’s match between the Sharks and Crusaders.

With Bakkies Botha being cited without success a week earlier for a cleanout at the ruck that was neither as dangerous, or intentional as Williams’ hit, it once again raised the spectre of there being two sets of rules in Super Rugby - one for South Africans and one for the rest.

Williams went in on Kankowski, with deliberate intent with a shoulder and elbow which connected heavily with the No8, making even the SkySport commentators wince and speak about the illegality of the challenge.

But the referee on the day, Steve Walsh, nor his touch judges acted on the incident, and SANZAR’s citing commissioner decided not to cite, ostensibly “because it wasn’t a red card offence” in his opinion.

SANZAR head of marketing and communications Anthony Mackaiser told SuperSport.com “no citing or referral has been received by SANZAR” on Monday and therefore no further hearing nor subsequent punishment will happen.

While Williams is a star of the current Super Rugby season, a case of inconsistency can be made when you consider what would happen if Botha performed a similar shoulder charge?