Percy's 'charge' on TV camera
by
2007-10-21 22:14
Hennie Brandt, Beeld
Paris - England, while crying about Mark Cueto's try that was not awarded, should be counting their lucky stars that Tony Flood was not yellow-carded during the rugby World Cup final.
The substitute centre could have been sin-binned for his moment of madness at a critical stage of Saturday night's match at Stade de France.
Flood, having replaced South African-born Mike Catt in the 51st minute, chased after a kick that went over the tryline.
Springbok fullback Percy Montgomery had his back to Flood as he watched the ball also cross the dead-ball line.
At that moment, Flood pushed Montgomery in the back, propelling him over the advertising boards and into a large television camera well beyond the playing area.
Referee Alain Rolland, of Ireland, consulted the touch judges, France's Joël Jutge and New Zealander Paul Honiss, before ordering a 22m dropout.
Montgomery and the other Springboks were upset by Flood's dangerous action. Some spoke to Rolland while Montgomery, holding his hand, was treated by the SA medical staff before returning to the field.
Flood tried to cover up by apologising, but he was roundly booed by some spectators.
After the match, the Springboks were unwilling to say much about the incident. Captain John Smit jokingly referred to it as "Percy's shoulder-charge on the TV camera."
The 33-year-old Montgomery had the last laugh. His four penalty goals, and one by Frans Steyn, wrecked England's hopes of becoming the first team to defend the Webb Ellis Cup successfully.
Montgomery's 12 points took his total for the tournament to 105, making him the top scorer and the only player to reach a century this year.