Ill-discipline costs Blitzboks dearly
Rosco Speckman received a red card in their semi-final encounter against the Wallabies as a result of two yellow card – the first being a questionable call. The flyer was sent to the sin bin for a no arms tackle on Wallaby Quade Cooper in his attempt to score a try.
Replays suggested otherwise though but the referee failed to make use of the review system and went on the recommendation of his assistants, leading to the Blitzboks being a man down and conceding a penalty try.
There was no doubt about the second yellow card though as a high tackle close to the try line – after the final hooter – led to him seeing red and the Australians being awarded their second penalty try of the match. Cooper popped over the conversion to seal a 14-12 victory.
"Anybody who hears that we lost because of two penalty tries will realise very quickly that it must have been a discipline thing that got us caught up in that game.
"In a play-off game against Australia, who have been playing some great rugby throughout the weekend, it means you are not going to see yourself in the final and it is going to be very difficult to win almost any game if you are going to play like that.
"I think it is a couple of small things, it is not massive things. We addressed it, which will make us even more disappointed because it was a focus of the week but we will have a look at it again going into Vancouver," Brown said.
Despite the disappointment of missing out on playing in the final, the Blitzboks were able to overcome tournament hosts the USA 21-10 to clinch third spot.
"I'm very proud of the way we came back in the play-off match. To go head-to-head with America, we always realised they would be pumped up for it.
"It was a test of character for us to make sure the guys knew exactly what it meant every time they step onto the field. It doesn't matter what you playing for or who you playing against, it is about representing that jersey and that badge," he added.
Wholesale changes were made to the squad that participated in the Sydney and Wellington legs of the Series and Brown was particularly pleased with the bond the Las Vegas squad formed.
"I was very excited to see the way that seven changes to the team can help build momentum again. Going from Wellington and Sydney and seeing how well the guys played, then realising we have almost a new squad together.
"I was a little bit nervous to be honest but I'm really proud of how the guys came together this week and created a nice bond," he stated.
