England legend Ben Youngs calls out ‘cheating’ All Blacks scrum-half

Sunday, 06 September 2026 at 15:52

bySteven Smith

, Youngs said: “I would just say this, you’re a really quality player, like, you’re better than that.

England legend Ben Youngs has called out All Blacks scrum-half Cam Roigard following the controversial incident that divided rugby supporters during New Zealand’s defeat to the Springboks.

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Roigard was at the centre of a major flashpoint during South Africa’s dramatic 29-24 victory at FNB Stadium, which moved the Springboks 2-1 ahead in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.

As RUCK reported following the final whistle, the incident sparked a huge debate, with some supporters demanding a card for Cobus Reinach while others accused Roigard of exaggerating the contact to win a penalty.

Footage showed Roigard making contact with Reinach away from the ball before the Springbok scrum-half lifted him and dumped him towards the turf.

Jim Demps

@jim_demps

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Dropping a fella, who never had the ball, on his head isn’t a tip tackle. It’s foul play and should be a yellow card minimum

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4:00 PM · Sep 5, 2026

978

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Now former England scrum-half Youngs has weighed in — and made it clear he was unimpressed with the All Blacks star.

Youngs calls out Roigard

Speaking on For The Love Of Rugby

“You know, Roigard did something similar in Super Rugby, where he caught the ball, like, laid there, you know, penalty given, then pops up, quick taps, and off he goes.

Scrumming Flyhalf

@scrumming_ten

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FURTHER UPDATE: Rugby legends Ben Youngs and Dan Cole have called out All Blacks cheating scrumhalf Cameron Roigard for his repetitive diving and simulation

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1:57 PM · Sep 6, 2026

816

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“He’s obviously done, as well, at the weekend, where he’s laid there.

“You wouldn’t see Dupont do that, you wouldn’t see Gibson-Park do that, you wouldn’t see Thomas Williams do that.

“The ref’s got to grab hold of that and just say, ‘We ain’t having it’, and that’s why. The great Nigel Owens would have dealt with that. He’d have blown his whistle and told him he isn’t having it.”