'Winkgate': Nienaber defends Sharks' Hendrikse in row over gamesmanship
JOHANNESBURG - Former Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber has weighed in on the infamous "winkgate" incident from this past weekend.
In what has inexplicably become the biggest scandal in the sport, Sharks scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse is accused by Munster supporters, and others, of shameless gamesmanship and violating the so-called #RugbyValues. Hendrikse has been blamed for faking a cramp to distract Munster kicker Jack Crowley during the penalty shootout between the teams in their URC quarterfinal on Saturday.
SuperSport's cameras showed Hendrikse winking at Crowley as he was lying on the turf and receiving treatment, which incensed Munster and Irish supporters. Crowley managed to get his kick over, and the moment had little bearing on the outcome as the Sharks converted all their kicks to win 6-4.
Hendrikse is a player Nienaber knows very well, having handed him his Bok debut in 2021 and included him in the 2023 Rugby World Cup-winning squad. While many online accused Hendrikse of being underhanded and much worse, Nienaber, who is now a coach at Irish powerhouse Leinster, put the incident down to being a normal part of the game.
"The banter, or whatever you want to call it, trying to get into the opposition's head, is something that happens throughout the game. You try to do it physically, you try to do it with your mouth, you try to do it at set piece, a lot of things, rubbing guys' hair, faces in the ground, it happens throughout the 80 minutes," said Nienaber
Nienaber said he'd come across Irish players who've engaged in similar behaviour and said they're amongst the best at it. He referenced an incident between New Zealand and Ireland in 2022 where a sledge from one of the Irish players, Peter O'Mahony, aimed at All Blacks captain Sam Cane is said to be one of the biggest motivators for the All Blacks in their win in the quarterfinals the following year
"You are masters at it, the Irish… The Irish have never fell on their mouths, ever. You ask if Irish players do it? Wasn't there a thing about Pete [O'Mahony] and Sam Cane? So, there's your answer," said Nienaber.
Nienaber's Leinster is preparing for the URC semi-finals this weekend, where they'll host the defending champions Glasgow Warriors on Saturday afternoon.
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