Wynne Gray: Let the punishment fit the crime

Ihaia West of the Blues in action. Photo / Photosport

My neighbour answered his inquiry before he delivered it.

"I guess the Blues lost," he began before switching the conversation to more pressing matters like the state of the lamp-posts in the street.

It's become like that in Blues territory. There is an acceptance they will find a way to lose as the slide in production and results persists.

The latest defeat in Cape Town became even more predictable once lock Hayden Triggs was sent off for biffing Stormers' captain Duane Vermeulen several times on the beak.

How often do we hear warnings about retaliation being costly especially offshore when a local linesman is patrolling play. His eye was drawn to Triggs' retribution and his subsequent direction to referee Craig Joubert was unequivocal.

Crusaders prop Owen Franks clouted an opponent in Dunedin and officials missed the offence in the blur of action although he was cited later.

Both Triggs and Franks will probably get suspended when they face the judiciary and if that happens, it may be difficult for Sanzar officials to explain the imbalance in those sentences.

Since rugby went professional it has pinned a greater emphasis on eradicating foul play and introduced the sin-bin as a way of penalising offenders without damaging a game for the spectators.

When players are sent to the naughty chair, they begin and end that journey with the explicit caution that any further offending is shower time. There's no ambiguity and only the evil or careless like Reds lock James Horwill in the opening round cross that line.

So Triggs and Vermeulen duked it out and Franks struck his rival. The flashpoints were sorted.

It's not like they kicked anyone, bit or gouged anyone. They stepped outside the rules and should have been put in the cooler. The problem is officials only saw one incident and, acting on Sanzar instructions and early-season eagerness, recommended the dispatch card.

If Triggs is suspended he and the Blues will be punished twice for an offence which is no worse than Franks' violation.

• Touting the Hurricanes as a Super Rugby threat is a difficult task.

It's on the evidence of a couple of sketchy wins in South Africa, but they were massive blows for a franchise whose work totters between rousing and flaky.

New coach Chris Boyd hardly lit up his last ITM Cup campaign and while the backline cast glitters with possibilities, there is a drip-feed of historical uncertainty about their pack - talented loosies tacked in behind a ragged tight five.

Successive wins in the Republic for the first time in nine years will pump up the Canes eclectic supporters and give the team extra belief as they head out of Dodge for Perth and their next battle with the Force.

Ma'a Nonu's return to Canes colours was sound except for a late pass which could have been ruinous and there was enough solidity to suggest the side is on the right path.

Repeat wins in South Africa - wake up Chris Boyd, it is not a dream.