WATCH: Eben shares a beer with Wallabies prop after altercation
A post-match video shows Allan Alaalatoa and Eben Etzebeth good-naturedly sharing a beer just hours after their heated altercation.
In Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash in Sydney, players from both sides let their emotions get the better of them after Makazole Mapimpi dotted down in the corner to score a decisive try. As Mapimpi clashed with Marika Koroibete, it sparked an altercation as numerous players clashed, most notably with Bok enforcer Eben Etzebeth and Wallabies prop Allan Alaalatoa going head to head.
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The display of ‘crazy eyes’ from Etzebeth certainly set social media alight, while footage has emerged to show Alaalatoa had been niggling the Springbok forward the whole game.
Yet, in a video illustrating that ‘what happens on the field, stays on the field’, the Wallabies shared a video of players from both teams mingling in the change-room after the game. Most notably, Alaalatoa can be seen grabbing a beer from the fridge before seeking out Etzebeth as both players share a good-natured hug.
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You can watch the video with Eben and Alaalatoa below:
— Wallabies (@wallabies) September 4, 2022
More than rugby @Springboks#Wallabies @eToroAU #AUSvRSA pic.twitter.com/hDHjXFTcto
Mapimpi vs Koroibete: the rematch
— SuperSport
It's all kicking off as the Boks winger scores in the corner but gets sent to the bin for his actions afterwards.Stream #AUSvRSA live: https://t.co/0BMWdeEYT3 pic.twitter.com/N4Cms9FW9e
(@SuperSportTV) September 3, 2022
Note to self: don't mess with Eben Etzebeth
— SuperSportpic.twitter.com/PIN5Mn44ES
Alaalatoa's baiting for 72 mins before Etzebeth unleashed the dragon.
— Ben Smith (@bensmithrugby) September 4, 2022pic.twitter.com/2RyZjdksCV
Meanwhile, after the game, Springbok captain Siya Kolisi responded to the altercation that somewhat soured the game late in play.
“I’m not really going to answer that. I don’t know what happened. I think we’re obviously going to say [last week’s tackle] was illegal but there are two sides to every story.
“We always want to make sure that we keep the game as clean as we can. We’re all invested in the game, we love it and want to encourage youngsters to play it.
“Things do sometimes get heated, this is international rugby after all. The Rugby Championship is on the line for both teams and that heightens the tension. I’m just glad that things didn’t become too hectic.”
Yet he did admit that it was unpleasant that one of the highlights of the Boks’ play on the day had to overshadowed in such a manner.”It’s a bit disappointing and we definitely don’t want to encourage that kind of behaviour. We have millions of kinds around the world watching us,” said Kolisi.
“It happens now and then and I thought it was handled well by the referee.”
