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Brad Thorn says what we're all thinking following 'ridiculous yellow' card

By Ian Cameron

In a postmatch press conference Brad Thorn was asked by a journalist “would you be asked would you be happy if I wrote that was the most ridiculously yellow card in the history of rugby?’

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The question related to a yellow carded handed out to Number 8 Caleb Timu by referee Angus Gardner in the 34th minute of the Queensland Reds versus Brumbies game.

Thorn’s response was apposite.

“What does my face say” joked Thorn.

“I see mixed martial arts going gangbusters all around the world, where they just go to war.”

“There’s that side of the game, that’s what I loved. My time’s well and truly gone but to get in big trouble you had to spear tackle someone or really take their head off.

“It’s pretty stringent (now), I know they’re doing their best … (but) it’s a contact sport. Let us enjoy some contact.”

Thorn also spoke about the development of Taneila Tupou, who he says has ‘god given talents’ that can’t be made in a gym.

Despite the yellow the Reds got their first win under new head coach Thorn, beating the Brumbies 18-10 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Friday night.

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The tryless victory will be savoured by Thorn, but it leaves the Brumbies with more questions than answers after a less than impressive first-round victory over the Sunwolves.

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Bull Shark 1 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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