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'I'll probably get in **** for that' - Wallabies 'waterboy' latest to draw fire
By Ian Cameron
Wallabies scrum coach Petrus du Plessis surmised that he might be in trouble after he become the latest waterboy to be involved in a minor incident on the side of the pitch.
Scotland stand-off Finn Russell had to shove the outsized waterboy out of the way when he went to retrieve a ball on the sideline during Scotland's Autumn Nations Series game with Australia. Du Plessis let out a yelp after getting a shove from Russell with the advertising boards in sight but could later be heard on live stream saying: “I’ll probably get in s*** for that”
Former Saracens teammate and friend Jim Hamilton tweeted the retired prop: ' “I’ll probably get in shit for that” Only for the dive and scream.'
The South African-born prop has been credited with turning the Wallabies' scrummaging from Test level whipping boys into one of the sport's best.
Although the cameo was more humourous than anything else, his interaction is the latest sideline staff incident at the top level of the sport, with Springboks Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus during the British & Irish Lions tour and an incident involving his replacement at the Rugby Championship making headlines.
Wasps' waterboy was recently involved with a scuffle in the Ricoh Arena with Exeter Chiefs and England centre Henry Slade, while just last week Bath's kit man was punished for comments he made to the referee.
Kit manager Steve Middleton accepted an RFU charge and was given a one-match suspension by an independent disciplinary panel, preventing him from attending this weekend’s game. Middleton also needs to deliver a presentation to the non-playing members of staff at Bath on the need to uphold standards and the core values of the game by December 2.
The RFU said: "There is a growing problem with the conduct of non-playing personnel and disciplinary panels will not hesitate in taking strong action to combat this.”
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Latest Comments
John, McKenzie was 10 years ago and he only lasted 15 months until the disgustingly unfair affair that brought him down. I thought that if he didn't get another gig over Eddie V2 then he was done. I read that he had been approached but declined to put his name in the ring.
There are no potential Wallaby coaches outside of McKellar unless you have some inside info?
Go to commentsThe way they are defending is sometime pathetic to be honest. Itoje is usually on the inside of the rush and he is paired with a slower tight forward. Unable to keep up with the rush we have seen the line become disconnected on the inside where the big boys are. How many times have we seen Earl rush past the first receiver almost into no mans land covering no attacker. It looks like a system without any guidance. Tome Wright, Ikitau and a number of Wallabies went back to this soft centre as did Williams, Jordan and several others. Also when the line is broken the multiple lines of defence seems to be missing. The rush is predicated on a cover and recovery system with multiple lines of defence but with England you dont see it any more. Fitness and conditioning seems to be off as well as players are struggling to keep up with the intensity of the rush. Felix Jones has left a huge hole. The whole situation was and is a mess. Why they insist on not letting him go and having him work remotely is beyond me. Its leading to massive negative press and is a hot button issue thats distracting from the squad. Also the communication around Jones and his role has been absolute rubbish and is totally disjointed. While some say he is working remotely and playing a role others are saying theres been no contact. His role has not been defined and so people keep asking and keep getting different answers. England need a clean break from him and need to start over. Whatever reason for his leaving its time to cut the rope before the saga drags the whole Borthwick regime down. As for Joe El Abd well good luck to him. He is being made to look like an amateur by the whole saga and he is being asked to coach a system thats not his and which has been perfected and honed since 2017 by Nienaber, Jones, Erasmus and Co and which was first started by White in 2004. He is literally trying to figure out a system pioneered by double world cup winning coaches at the highest level and coach it at the same time. Talk about being on a hiding to nothing.
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