The actions of the Sharks and Jaden Hendrikse during the United Rugby Championship (URC) penalty shootout in Durban continue to be slammed, with a respected Irish journalist the latest to hit out.
After a drawn 100 minutes of action, a penalty shootout would decide the victors, with the Sharks emerging victorious as they booked their place in the URC semi-finals for the first time.
However, the kicking competition was not without its controversy as Hendrikse collapsed to the ground after taking his second penalty attempt, with the half-back suffering from a cramp, which delayed Munster fly-half Jack Crowley from taking his second attempt.
Crowley was notably irked with many onlookers at the time doubting the sincerity of Hendrikse’s injury and suggested that it was simply a ploy to put the playmaker off.
Sharks and Springboks flanker Siya Kolisi has come to the defence of his teammate, as has ex-Springboks coach Jacques Nienaber and current boss Rassie Erasmus, but the scrum-half has still felt the brunt of major criticism for his actions.
“Totally against the spirit of the game”
The latest to add fuel to the fire is respected Irish Times journalist Gerry Thornley, who was outraged not only by the number nine’s perceived attempt to put Crowley off but also by the Sharks’ support staff who entered the pitch.
“Look, I don’t know maybe he could have got cramp, but he didn’t have to lie down where he laid down and he didn’t need that mini pitch invasion from all sorts of physios and other backroom staff from the Sharks to deliberately delay Jack Crowley’s kick,” he said on Off the Ball as he began his rant.
“I thought it was incredibly unsportsmanlike, it was totally against the spirit of the game.
“I thought it was s***housery of the worst kind that I haven’t even seen Emiliano Martinez do that in a penalty shootout for Argentina or Aston Villa – it was shocking, I really did.
“It’s a wonder that rugby has retained so many wonderful values, particularly with the advent of professionalism, given that it’s a game based primarily on physical, brutal force, and yet there are certain values that have been retained. It’s a wonderful sport on so many levels – I thought that looked ridiculous.
“I’m more annoyed that Munster didn’t win for the shenanigans the Sharks got up to.”
Bernard Jackman reveals the Sharks’ sledge that ‘fired-up’ Jack Crowley
Embarrassing
Show presenter Eoin Sheahan questioned whether he would be so upset about what unfolded had it been an Irish player who behaved in that manner.
But Thornley believes that he would be just as outraged and would also be embarrassed if an Irish player behaved in that manner.
“If Jack Crowley had done the exact same or Conor Murray or Rory Scannell, even at Thomond Park, I would have been embarrassed,” he added.
“I hope I would have been and I think I would have been embarrassed to see such a carry-on. I’d be very disappointed in an Irish player doing that. I really would be.”
READ MORE: ‘We stand with Jaden’ – Siya Kolisi breaks Sharks’ silence on Hendrikse’s ‘wink gate’
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/shousery-of-the-worst-kind-respected-irish-journalist-the-latest-to-stick-the-boot-into-the-sharks-after-embarrassing-shenanigans
