Roigard criticised after Soweto incident; Maro Itoje returns to England squad

The useful part

‌ ‌ All Blacks star called out New Zealand scrum-half Cam Roigard has been called out by former England star Ben Youngs following a controversial incident during his side's defeat to South Africa on Saturday. ‌ A controversial incident in the second half in Soweto saw Roigard and his opposite number Cobus Reinach clash after the Springboks were awarded a penalty try following a dominant scrum. ‌ The All Black held on to Reinach as tempers flared, with the Boks man responding by flipping him backwards onto the turf.

How it works

• Roigard then stayed down holding his head, despite replays showing that his head had not made contact with the ground.
• "Roigard did something similar in Super Rugby, where he caught the ball, laid there, penalty given, then pops up, quick taps, and off he goes.
• However, it is understood that head coach Steve Borthwick wants to see how they bed back into the Gallagher Prem before deciding whether to include them in future squads.
• However, he did not require surgery and is now back in full training as he targets Dragons' URC opener against Benetton on Friday, September 25.
• ‌ Dragons scored 13 tries in their pre-season victory over Hartpury and face Scarlets at Llandovery on Friday.

What to take from it

Highly-rated prop Fin Baxter is back after a series of foot problems kept him out since December while exciting rookies Archie McParland and Kepu Tuipulotu are included. George and Ollie Chessum have joined up with England but are receiving treatment for respective groin and foot problems. Reinach was later penalised after referee Nika Amashukeli and his team reviewed the incident, with the All Blacks awarded a penalty on the halfway line.

Example or evidence

• Now, Youngs has also made it clear that he was unimpressed with the New Zealand star's actions, claiming it was not the behaviour of an elite international scrum-half.
• ‌ "I would just say this, you're a really quality player, you're better than that," he said on the For The Love of Rugby podcast.
• You wouldn't see Dupont do that, you wouldn't see Gibson-Park do that, you wouldn't see Tomos Williams do that.
• "The ref's got to grab hold of that and just say, 'We ain't having it', and that's why," Youngs added.

Details worth keeping

Siya Kolisi steps in to save pitch intruder as Springboks v All Blacks crowd in awe No card was issued, but Springboks fans were left furious with Roigard as they accused him of cheating, with former South Africa international Jean de Villiers calling him out for "gamesmanship". "He's obviously done that as well, at the weekend, where he's laid there. "The great Nigel Owens would have dealt with that.

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• Walesonline: The rugby stories making headlines on the morning of Tuesday, September 29