Hint of double standard in outrage

Hi Linda Don't worry, there is no chance of Carisbrook becoming a fossilised monument. The pending Historic Places Trust classification is for the site, not the buildings which nobody pretends are wonderful in themselves (except maybe those old brick ticket offices!) There's nothing to stop Carisbrook being redeveloped and like you, I would like to see this happen. You said "It's part of Dunedin's heart and should keep on beating along with that wonderful city's ticker." I couldn't agree more.

It would be interesting to view footage of what occured immediately prior to Thorns throw of Smit - Thorn is usually a fairly passive sort of character so something must have riled him.

His effort definitely seemed a lot more "reactive" than Du Plessis's out and out foul play - hence the difference in standards.

Smit's whining has not helped his sympathy levels - Thorn apologised and took his suspension on the chin - and we havent heard Adam Thompson claiming he suffered some terrible injury as a result of his facial!!!

Hi there I'll be honest, I'm a signed up member of Stop the Stadium so those are my colours. I loved what you said about being close to the action at Carisbrook, especially after sitting in the HUGE Olympic Stadium at Homesbush in Sydney. A momentous night at the Olympics for me & my sister Angela (we're ex-Dunedinites) when we saw Cathy Freeman run - not in "that race", alas. It was a spine tingling night, with people from all over the world sitting amongst true blue Ozzie types watching elite athletes do their thing. These feelings wore off after a while, and I felt that what I was experiencing was beyond the normal human experience, almost post-human with everyone straining to watch the athletes on the large screens (rock 'n roll stars come off better at such venues, the grunt & groan of athletes doesn't work in large arenas). Carisbrook is special & should not be replaced by an overpriced monstrosity that will sit empty for most of the year (as does the Homesbush stadium & its other smaller stadiums). And it most certainly should not be forced to take on the "building morgue" status, aka "historical building". It's part of Dunedin's heart and should keep on beating along with that wonderful city's ticker.

A thought for the Awatea Stadium supporters - the Pope is here at the moment - guess where he's appearing. Not at Homebush, but in various venues around the city and his final appearance is at good old Randwick racecourse. Maybe security reasons, but I doubt it don't you.

Linda Bennet Sydney

Yes Matt but was McCaw injured for the rest of the season after the spear and did the offender get a yellow card? All par of the equation and this is what the author of the article is pointing out. You see what you want to, blinded by your fait and support for your team.

Hey T.Smith,

what's the deal with the attack on the Sensible Sentencing Trust??

I'm guessing you've never been a victim of serious crime

This writer should probably look up the term "spear tackle" in the rugby dictionary before making this terrible comparison.

John Smit moved towards Brad Thorn who was on the ground and then proceeded to shove Thorn's head violently into the turf, Brad then got straight up and lifted Smit and dropped him on his back. The incident was a retaliation and as happens alot these days the guy that fights back gets pinged. Fair enough, at least that's consistent. The other case sited by you (du Plessis' facial) was a guy attacking another without retaliation. Brad WAS provoked, and I think that's a difference. Smit's subsequent comments ARE THE NORM for everyone else in world rugby when it concerns us, we as a nation are much more reserved in wanting to make a mountain out of a molehill like John Smit has done in the media, especially the coaching staff. It was a long time before anyone who was in Cardiff brought up the ref, and we all saw the game and know what he did (or didn't) do. Oh and if you want to talk commentators, the South African team have been shockers for years, they must have surgically had an eye removed. Carisbrook has had it's day and it is a fool who argues a stadium with a roof in Dunedin is a bad idea.

What a clown you are, Cam. Go home and stop littering Dunedin's streets with you scarfie rubbish. Carisbrook is old, with good reason. So is Wembley, and look at what's been done with that arena. The new hot house at Logan Park will rapidly become as out-of-date as the main stand at Carisbrook did. Short-sightedness will continue to plague Dunedin, where a few dodgy businessmen are looking to make some quick money without thought for the consequences. And as for the "spear" tackle on Smit, Tony Smith would do well to watch some old league games and figure out what a spear tackle is. Jarrod McCracken could enlighten you.

"Has anyone also noticed how the ex-All Black expert commentators are more generous in their praise of the opposition than the broadcasting professionals?"

Yes I have, I've noticed just how bad commentators like Grant Nisbett and Tony Johnston are becoming (more and more like the Aussie commentators everyday). I was talking about this with someone the other day so I'm not the only one that has noticed this. Uncover the other eye lads, you're meant to be impartial and provide a fair commentary. Maybe some lessons can be learned from the former AB experts.

I agree Tony it is doubles standards, but they are different incidents: one is frustration and late play (Thorne) the other is just dirty (du Plessis).

However NZ Rugby history does show we have some of the all time great dirty Players, who are revered by AB Supporters: Richard Loe, Sean Fitzpatrick and Mark Cowboy Shaw to name a few!

But I must say doubles standards from AB Supporters is one thing but the comments from the Bok players and Management is just plain hipocrisy. For them to complain about the Thorne tackle, and not bat an eye with regards to their off the ball dirty tactics and dangerous play!

PS: O'Driscoll deserved what he got, if the ball was well clear of the ruck why did he charge at Umaga and Melamu?? Rugby is a game for men not boys!