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'Incredible moment' - Will Skelton lauded over incident against Stormers

06 Apr 2024

Will Skelton protects Salman Moerat Credit; Flo Rugby

Towering La Rochelle second row Will Skelton demonstrated remarkable sportsmanship in his side’s tense Investec Champions Cup victory over the DHL Stormers in Cape Town this afternoon.

For the Stormers, the game was marred by injuries, depleting their personnel and leaving them without substitutions towards the end of the game.

A collision involving Moerat and Skelton in the 59th minute certainly caught the eye.

In a wholesome moment amidst the brutality of the make-or-break European knockout game, the Wallaby giant’s quick thinking prevented further injury to Stormers’ captain – Salmaan Moerat – who had attempted to tackle Skelton.

Stormers assistant coach Norman Laker on team’s previous encounter with La Rochelle

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Stormers assistant coach Norman Laker on team’s previous encounter with La Rochelle

The reunions will continue for the Stormers this weekend when they welcome Stade Rochelais to Cape Town Stadium for their Champions Cup Round of 16 match on Saturday.

Moerat suffered a heavy blow to the head and crumpled to the floor. Skelton – showing exceptional awareness – shielded Moerat from additional impact while signalling for medical assistance.

Fortunately, thanks to Skelton’s immediate response to the Stormers’ lock was able to make a speedy exit from the field for a head injury assessment (HIA).

An incredible moment of sportsmanship from @staderochelais star Will Skelton to protect his opponent.#InvestecChampionsCup #STOvSR #STOvLAR pic.twitter.com/Ch0Rlw12sm
— FloRugby (@FloRugby) April 6, 2024

This act of concern and sportsmanship was a highlight in the game, showcasing Skelton’s character on the field.

Standing at 6’8 and weighing 150kg, Skelton has been a key player for La Rochelle, contributing significantly to their dominance in European club rugby over the last two seasons.

His physicality and skill have been central to La Rochelle’s victories over Leinster in consecutive finals. The match against the Stormers was crucial, with La Rochelle overcoming a 13-point halftime deficit to lead 17 – 16 with time winding down. The win now sets up a potential rematch with Leinster, should the Irish province beat Leicester Tigers in Dublin tonight.

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Comments

3 Comments

Ace 473 days ago

That’s rugby. Try to kill each other when the game is on, but total respect and support when the occasion calls for it. And when the final whistle blows, the war is over.

The greatest game on the planet.

Grant 475 days ago

Love this

WL 476 days ago

Nice guy great player.

Join free and tell us what you really think!

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Comments on RugbyPass

Tom 10 minutes ago

'Most controversial call ever': Tizzano no-call lingers over Lions series win

People (myself included) get too caught up in all the animosity. The Lions themselves are a reminder that we're all just people at the end of the day. Every Lions tour you hear about the preconceived notions the players have for each other. Mostly that the Irish and Scots players expect the England players to all be arrogant d-heads and when they actually spend time together they're all buddies. It's just tribalism.

51 Go to comments

Toaster 10 minutes ago

Michael Hooper weighs in on Jac Morgan clear-out

Sorry for my bad England - edited 🤣

The biggest part for me is the inconsistency

Yep really dumb and unfortunately red

Just totally not needed but no damage done.

Nic White should have been yellow carded

It worries me that these days we are scrutinising every decision and this game has two tries under scrutiny

I still feel that should have been a penalty against Morgan but it’s also wrong as it’s only because it was reviewed due to a well worked try

Tosi causing obstruction against the French. Innocuous and seen all the time

No try

Sheehan if we go by the ambiguous laws - arguable try!

It’s a bladdy try - he dove to score

He didn’t hurdle

"If a player is deemed to have left the ground to avoid a tackle; or to jump, or hurdle a potential tackler, then this is dangerous play and should be sanctioned accordingly"

If we use those laws then he dove in the air to avoid tacklers who couldn’t touch him 🤣🤷‍♂️

71 Go to comments

JH 15 minutes ago

'Gutted' Joe Schmidt makes feelings clear over match-deciding call

You’re absolutely spot on there with how commonplace incidents get called up in an inconsistent way when it’s a try scoring scenario. And I fully agree that this is why there was nothing for the referee to look at from either players actions there.

It would be interesting though if referees ever did decide to start enforcing rule 15.3.

There is an argument that it would make the game safer but it would largely take jackaling out of the game. Defending teams might need to go more to counter rucking to contest for possession

15 Go to comments

Tom 15 minutes ago

Michael Hooper weighs in on Jac Morgan clear-out

The Aussies were much improved, the addition of Skelton and Valentini made a big difference. They put our halfbacks under pressure and it seemed to rattle them in the first half, Fin Russell's passing was atrocious by his usual sublime standards. When the Lions clicked they were a bit too strong though imo. All the way through the tour it's felt to me like the Lions have consistently struggled to find their rhythm but under the surface is a talented team with a bit too much for the Aussies. Overall a mediocre Lions team touring a spirited Australian side a couple of years from being at that level.

71 Go to comments

Ed the Duck 23 minutes ago

Hugo Keenan: From high school 'D' team to British and Irish Lions immortality

Which one, 2-1 series win for the Aussies?

10 Go to comments

Over the sideline 27 minutes ago

'Gutted' Joe Schmidt makes feelings clear over match-deciding call

One of my major frustrations with rugby at the moment JH is that what’s illegal in the act of scoring a try is often very commonplace throughout the rest of the match. These type of incidences from both the Wallabies player and the Lions player are perfect examples and offside rulings during different field positions is another one.

My own view was that there was nothing from either player that required stopping the awarding of the try and whilst I don’t need to see a penalty for pretending to be hurt, im in 100% agreeance we definately don’t need it in rugby.

15 Go to comments

Ibbero1 32 minutes ago

Michael Hooper weighs in on Jac Morgan clear-out

It certainly was, theatrics. Coming away from the ruck, holding his head, when the clear out was nowhere near his head

71 Go to comments

RK 39 minutes ago

Many Springboks fans are saying same thing about the Lions

Yeah and the Springboks smashed you in 98, just like they have the last 5 tests

66 Go to comments

Hellhound 50 minutes ago

Steve Hansen: The Boks are 'rolling the dice and so far they’ve got away with it'

Wow can't even defeat someone with 50% IQ. That's bad😂 Fine, I'll stop trolling you🤣🤣

49 Go to comments

Evans 52 minutes ago

Michael Hooper weighs in on Jac Morgan clear-out

All Ausies are whingers!

71 Go to comments

Hellhound 53 minutes ago

Michael Hooper weighs in on Jac Morgan clear-out

I was pissed off at Jasper. It wasn't a head butt, but the rules are clear around head contact and there was head contact. That is red. Right decision, but soft. Rugby is becoming soft. They are trying to take away what makes rugby rugby. Soft calls like that shouldn't be punished. As good as Jasper is, it's time he gets dropped. He isn't a youngster and he knows better. He spends more time off the field due to indiscipline than on the field. The Boks have at least 5 different players that can play 8. He isn't needed. Indiscipline is what will cost the Boks in big games. We don't need that.

71 Go to comments

tf 56 minutes ago

'Gutted' Joe Schmidt makes feelings clear over match-deciding call

If you go through any game there are so many calls you can say are wrong. Moaning about a 50:50 in the last minute doesn't look good. If the TMO looked at loads of clear outs in slow mo there would be penalties ever other breakdown.

Sheehan's try or Beirn getting taken out off the ball earlier while the Lions were attacking earlier both could be contentious and had just as big an effect on the game. But as they werent in the 80th minute dont get the same scrutiny.

15 Go to comments

Jfp123 57 minutes ago

Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

Well, I don’t have any special knowledge. I can only give my personal opinion. I don’t know of anyone definitely ruled out.

There are plenty of French 10s, but few who particularly stand out. Apart from those already mentioned, Reus was excellent as an under 20. He hasn’t made such a big impression since then, but he’s only young, and switched clubs, so there’s time for him to develop. I’ve also heard Berdeu’s name mentioned once or twice. Or then again, Ntamack started as a centre, and Ramos’ main position is 15, so it’s possible someone else might change to 10 from another position and flourish.

There’s also a huge pipeline of young players, but their time will come after the next WC.

Of course, it’s only a big problem if Ntamack gets injured, but unfortunately he has been injury prone lately, and there’s such a high injury rate in general!

331 Go to comments

JH 1 hour ago

'Gutted' Joe Schmidt makes feelings clear over match-deciding call

You’re right . I can’t give an example because they are never given. But that is precisely why in that scenario clearouts like Jac’s yesterday are hardly ever pinged. He was clearing out a player who was positioned illegally in the ruck like what happens countless times in a match. Tizzano was inviting head / neck contact.

The only difference here to most every other ruck is that usually the cleared out jackal attempting player who was illegally and dangerously positioned in the ruck doesn’t try to milk a penalty

15 Go to comments

Colmcille 1 hour ago

Michael Hooper weighs in on Jac Morgan clear-out

100% true!

You can’t tackle a player at shoulder height or higher, but if you’re both crouched, contesting a ball, at 48” or lower!

It’s called mitigating circumstances!

Contact is enviable, the players are so low, the referees are the judge and jury.

Every rugby player knows, the referees decision is sacrosanct

Australia!

Come back in 12 years time, and seek vengeance

71 Go to comments

Hellhound 1 hour ago