REVEALED: The ruck incident from Eben Etzebeth that set Maro Itoje off

Monday, 28 November 2022 at 16:20

byRugby Rucker

Eben Etzebeth appeared to 'stamp' on Maro Itoje after the England lock held the powerhouse Springbok into a ruck with chaos following shortly after.

One fan wrote: "Citing incoming but doesn't detract from yet another abysmal performance from England and particularly from the pack,"

A second commented: "Those two have been going at it for so long imagine by the time they both reach 100 caps they might as well be a couple,"

Another supporter said: "Itoje getting a taste of his own. Genge strutting about. Mako still struggling to deal with life after Malherbe put him through the wringer. Authority stamped."

Watch the incident:

This isn't the first time the two have squared up following the 2021 British & Irish Lions tour.

Rassie Erasmus voted the most hated man in rugby and he’s got nobody to blame but himself

We all love to hate. For every force of good there is in rugby union, there is an equal force of bad to provide balance. A yin to their yang. For every hero, a villain.

As much fun as it is to see the sport's most treasured icons succeed, audiences can sometimes take equal pleasure in seeing a star plummet from the heavens and fall to the depths below.

We've compiled a list of those who, whether it be for their antics on or off the pitch, have developed an unenviable reputation in the game, not just among certain sets of fans or clubs, but by the entire football population.

Most hated men in rugby:

#5. Dan Biggar (Wales)

Biggar is the epitome of players you hate until they are on your team.The way the fly-half continues to moan to referees vociferously has seemingly only got worse throughout his career. It got so bad that popular online personality and diehard Scotland fan Glove39 made a video called ‘birdman’ mocking the way in which he always raises his arms in frustration to officials.

Dan Biggar facts:

Biggar has twice been selected to tour with the British and Irish Lions (2017 & 2021)
On 7 December 2015, Biggar won the BBC Cymru Sports Personality of the Year Award
Biggar came through the Ospreys development pathway, having attended Gowerton Comprehensive School in Swansea
The fly-half has his own routine before kicking goals, which fans now call “The Biggarena” after Los Del Rio’s 1995 hit, Macarena

#4. Owen Farrell (England)

Farrell fits the label “our guy” better than most, meaning you love to hate him unless he’s in your squad. Then you’d go to the end’s of the earth to defend him. The England captain, also known as 'Shoulder boy' for his high tackling, does himself no favours with his poor tackling technique.

Owen Farrell facts:

The Saracens star went to school with England teammate George Ford
His education began in rugby league – he joined Wigan St Patricks at the age of eight
He became the youngest ever player to appear in English professional rugby, making his debut aged 17 and 11 days. This record was later beaten by schoolmate Ford
It’s well known that Owen is the son of Ireland head coach Andy Farrell. However, it’s less commonly know that his uncle Sean O’Loughlin is also a rugby league legend, winning 34 caps for Great Britain between 1993 and 2009
He was not at first registered as a Farrell, but took mum Colleen’s family name of O’Loughlin. The couple married in 1995, changing Owen’s surname to Farrell the following year.

#3. Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)

The world Cup-winning lock is undoubtedly world-class, but he is also one of the dirtiest players in the sport. If your team has played against him, you will not be a fan. A proper sh**house, but huge biceps.

Eben Etzebeth facts:

Etzebeth may be 6ft 8in and more than 19st (2.03m/123kg) now but he did not dominate rugby in his early school days, leaving his growing until later in his teens
In 2016, aged 24, Etzebeth became the youngest player to play 50 Tests for the Springboks in the game against Australia at Brisbane
The lock was voted South African Young Player of the Year in 2012 and 2013, and was nominated for World Player of the Year in 2013 when the award was won by New Zealand’s Kieran Read.
Etzebeth’s biceps have a circumference of 19 inches… 48.26cm.
In 2017, Etzebeth became the 59th player to captain the Springboks in a Test match when he led the side in the match against France at Ellis Park

#2. Nic White (Australia)

White has become arguably the most unpopular player in world rugby over the past month and the Kiwi supporters will let him know it in no uncertain terms when he takes the field during The Rugby Championship this weekend.

Last month, White fell about like a lion had attempted to rip off his face after Faf de Klerk accidentally made contact with it while attempting to dislodge the ball out of his hands as he attempted a pass. After consulting with the television match official, referee Paul Williams adjudicated that this warranted a yellow card for de Klerk.

This decision sent the world of rugby into meltdown, with criticism coming from all quarters aimed at White for bringing the game into disrepute.

#1. Rassie Erasmus (South Africa)

The controversial South Africa Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus is never far away from the headlines.

Today, he has been banned for two matches for his tweets about the officiating in last weekend's defeat by France.

It means he will miss this weekend's meeting with Italy and next Saturday's game against England at Twickenham.

World Rugby said: "Match officials are the backbone of the sport and without them there is no game.

"World Rugby condemns any public criticism of match official selection, performance or integrity, which undermines their role, the trust-based coach/match officials feedback process and the values of integrity, respect, solidarity and discipline that are at the heart of the sport."

He has transformed from an inspirational coach to the games biggest d***.