'We all do this': Springbok comes to Barrett's defence
REACTION: Springbok Curwin Bosch has defended Beauden Barrett after the flyhalf’s ploy to roll the ball closer to the goalposts before a penalty kick.
Barrett was picked up by television cameras promoting the ball about two metres closer to its target ahead of a successful three-pointer during the second half of last Saturday’s drawn Rugby Championship Test with the Springboks in Wellington.
Springboks supporters roasted two-time World Player of the Year Barrett on social media for the deed after Australian referee Nic Berry had turned his back, with many declaring it an example of the All Blacks bending the rules or, simply, cheating.
#SSRugby : Watch closely what Beauden Barrett does with the ball as he prepares for the penalty kick pic.twitter.com/jfSqgr456D
— Pieter van der Spuy (@PvdS13) July 28, 2019
All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen dismissed the incident saying it’s something commonly seen from kickers worldwide.
It’s a sentiment that Bosch appears to agree with, with the 22-year-old goal kicker speaking out in defence of Barrett on Twitter.
“We all do this. Look at penalties kicked to touch and tell me if you find someone who kicks it on the mark,” the Sharks youngster, who last played internationally against Wales in Washington DC just over a year ago, said.
His comments echo those made by Hansen earlier this week.
“Look, you guys [media] have watched a lot of footy from club level right to the very highest level; I would say most goal kickers have done that at some point in their time,” he told media during the All Blacks’ Bledisloe Cup squad announcement on Wednesday.
“Is it right? Probably not, but they all do it. Is it any different than when you get a penalty and kick for touch and end up taking two strides past the mark to kick it out? It’s just what happens in footy.”
Barrett landed the penalty from an easy angle to give the All Blacks a 10-6 lead early in the second half, but missed a further two attempts at goal throughout the match.
Richie Mo’unga overtook the goal kicking duties late in the second half after Barrett succumbed to a cramp in his calf, landing both of his penalty attempts.
