Chiefs star Samipeni Finau has been cautioned about his approach to tackle timing after his latest big hit drew mixed views.
Waratahs fly-half Tane Edmed was flattened by the Chiefs flanker, continuing a run of borderline tackles by the one-time All Black on players just after passing the ball.
Former Wallabies player Stephen Hoiles initially shredded Finau for the hit on Stan Sport's Super Rugby Pacific game day coverage but walked back his first view of the incident upon seeing a replay.
Watch all the action from the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season, with every match ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport
At first glance, Finau's hit on Edmed looked like a shoulder charge. However, alternative angles showed there was an effort to wrap his arms.
The timing was considered fine by the referee.
Speaking on Stan Sport's Between Two Post, Hoiles said the Chiefs are being proactive with Finau's approach to tackle timing.
"I'm now sitting on the fence of, yeah, he got it right, but certainly he'll get it wrong at some stage," said Hoiles.
READ MORE: Wallaroos' massive reward for champion Tahs
READ MORE: Deadline set to decide Waratahs coach's future
READ MORE: Test star arrested, fined for night club fracas
"He's just got to think. He's very good at getting players when they're passing. He gets his timing right.
"Speaking to David Hill (assistant coach) after the game, he said 'Nah, nah. We work with him and make sure he gets his height right'.
"But if he gets it wrong and he's an inch higher, someone is in a lot of trouble."
Another ex-Wallaby Morgan Turinui echoed that sentiment.
"I'm happy to err on the side of it's okay," said Turinui.
"He's just got to make sure there's an act of wrapping.
"It's great to see a bloke just try and hurt."
The discourse on social media around Finau's approach has upset one former All Black legend, however.
Sir John Kirwan said it was "ridiculous" that Finau's approach was being criticised and suggested Super Rugby Pacific fans in Australia were "moaning".
Kirwan suggested Finau is ripe for the picking as the All Blacks' next Jerome Kaino.
"I have an issue that we are talking about it," he said on Sky Sport's The Breakdown.
"It's ridiculous that we're talking about it and it's ridiculous that someone across the Tasman is moaning about it.
"If that was rugby league it'd be on the highlights and everyone would be going 'how good is it?'
"I don't think there's any malice in it," he added.
"He's technically correct. He's physical. Let's celebrate it. It's legal."
However, like Hoiles and Turinui, ex-All Black Jeff Wilson is conscious of the consequences if Finau doesn't get his timing right.
"I think he's running a risk if he gets it slightly wrong and he has to live with those consequences," Wilson said.
"He knows this but if he gets it slightly wrong there will be consequences but I have no issues with what he's doing right now."
Finau has been penalised once this season for a late hit on Reds player Tom Lynagh.
"Yes he got penalised (in the Reds match) but ultimately the contact is legal and the technique is legal," said Wilson.
"If Australia had a big blindside flanker going out and doing this I don't think we'd be hearing about this."
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.