ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Motu Matu'u massive hits and great sportsmanship against the Rebels

BY Grant Constable  ·  Sunday May 27, 2012

Hurricanes hooker Motu Matu’u was responsible for taking out two Rebels players within the space of a few minutes in Wellington on Saturday. He put both Mark Gerard and Lachlan Mitchell in hospital, but showed he’s a class act too.

About two months ago Matu’u caught everyone’s attention with an incredible hit on Matt Hodgson that knocked the Force number eight out cold. He did something similar during the Hurricanes’ 66-24 demolishing of the Rebels this weekend, twice.

The first of his huge hits, on Gerard – who made the mistake of trying to dummy and step the replacement hooker – resulted in a damaged sternum. Gerard soldiered on for the rest of the game, despite the quite obvious pain he was suffering from and the concerns for his health. At one stage the female medic was quite comically chasing him around the field to make sure he was okay.

Rebels captain Gareth Delve, who was disappointed in the heavy defeat after they’d won their last two games, said that despite the brutal nature of them, the hits were perfectly legal.

“I didn’t see any issue with the tackles,” he said. “The guy’s hit hard and Mark Gerrard showed great courage staying out there otherwise we would have been down to 13 men.”

Mitchell was smashed by Matu’u in another ferocious tackle only a minute or so after Gerard, knocking him out instantly, resulting in him being stretchered off the field.

“With Lachie, it’s a sad sight to see him go off like that,” Delve said of Mitchell, who having not missed a match in their 28 game history in Super Rugby, will now be relegated to the sidelines.

On a positive note, Matu’u showed a tremendous act of sportsmanship as he went over to check on Mitchell as soon as he could, and just like Tana Umaga did to Colin Charvis some time back, turned him over to prevent choking or serious problems.

He thanked everyone for the positive support the next day, and admitted via Twitter that his opposition weren’t the only ones hurting. “Body feels like it’s been hit by a car,” he said.

You can view other great acts of sportsmanship, and big hits, in the related posts below. We don’t have a full clip of the Jerry Collins/Colin Charvis/Tana Umaga moment, but there is a short clip in the Collins ‘Terminator’ feature, also listed below, so have a look at that to see it.

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 32 WEEKS AGO

    Fiji Drua player Lomani slapped with ban...

  • 42 WEEKS AGO

    The sending off that rocked the Six Nations...

  • 42 WEEKS AGO

    Wrecking ball beats 10 players to score full...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Outlandish Jacob Stockdale finish is truly world class

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Ulster denied THE GREATEST URC try you will ever see!

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Capuozzo break sets Dupont up for hatrick on return

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Fans praise 'Dom Perignon Rugby' as Irish players prepare for final match of South African tour

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    Ireland 'steal' Argentina's opening try as debate rages

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    South African school boy makes the greatest tackle ever

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    French scrumhalf drills perfect shot at goal under outrageous circumstances

View All

Funnies

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Mischievous Marcus Smith spotted engaging in the dark arts during All Blacks match

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Mike Haley's post match interaction with RG Snyman leaves no doubt about where Munster players stand

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    The rugby guy and Mack Hansen drop an all time BANGER with latest video

View All

Amateur

  • 97 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 98 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 121 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 121 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 121 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 1 DAY AGO

    'Eligible for England' - Fans react to South African star's contract announcement

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    The 19-year-old named the 'future' of English rugby after win against Australia A

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Anthony Watson exclusive: 'I wouldn't be surprised if England win'

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    It’s a 9.5/10 for Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

View All