By Brenden Nel
Blue Bulls flank Johan Wasserman on Monday laughed off accusations of deliberate dirty play from the Natal Sharks after his dumping of Springbok centre Deon Kayser during Saturday's 17-all draw at Loftus Versfeld.
While many would have agreed that the off-the-ball incident warranted sterner action than referee Andre Watson meted out on the day, Wasserman called the incident "part of the game" and pointed to several indiscretions by the Sharks during the same period.
The Sharks officials were angered by the incident and called for the match commissioner to cite Wasserman for having picked Kayser up after the whistle had gone, turning him upside down and dumping him on the ground.
"Hey, it was one of those things that happen on the field," Wasserman said on Monday.
"I picked him up and didn't hear the whistle go and his momentum took him over, so I left him," he said.
But Wasserman admitted that after having watched the incident on television, he was shocked at how bad it had looked.
"I agree that on television it looks bad and if someone else did it, I would also have complained. I even got a call from my mother, who told me she didn't approve."
So intense was the game between the two sides that the Blue Bulls cancelled their scheduled practice on Monday because too many players were complaining of bumps and bruises.
Instead, coach Heyneke Meyer decided to take the squad for a light swimming session, giving the players another 24 hours to rest.
"There isn't anyone who is seriously hurt, but all the guys are feeling the effects of Saturday's game," team doctor Tommie Smook said.
But back to Wasserman. The flanker, who has fulfiled the fetcher's role to the maximum this season, spoke openly of the intimidation that he said the Bulls had received from the Sharks. He expects the Eagles to try and do the same when the two sides meet in a tricky encounter in George this weekend.
"I had my scrumcap ripped off my head four times during the game. and that doesn't happen naturally. There was a lot of niggle and they tried to intimidate us a bit," Wasserman added.
"But I think they got a fright when we didn't stand back. It was very physical, but we all matured a bit more by facing up to them.
"We learned a few hard lessons in the Super 12 and it was about time we learned to stand up and play them at their own game. They have to know that they can't expect to win their ball easily. They have to fight for it."
This weekend's match against the unpredictable Eagles, according to Wasserman, will be one of the toughest matches the Bulls will play this year.
"Last year we struggled there in George and only won by a few points. I reckon they will be just as tough this time around and will probably try to intimidate us upfront as well.
"But we are a better side this time around and want the victory badly," he said.