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'Harsh' - Zander Fagerson red card has divided opinion, splitting pundits online
A red card for Scottish prop Zander Fagerson – which once again skewed a Six Nations match in favour of Wales – has split rugby opinion online.
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Unlike Peter O’Mahony’s red last week, there is considerable sympathy for the tighthead, with many suggesting that it warranted a yellow and not a red card from referee Matthew Carley.
Matthew Carley brandished the card in the 54th minute after the Scot made contact with Wales prop Wyn Jones’ head at a ruck. It left Scotland with a mountain to climb to hold on to a game in which they had held the upper hand. It ultimately proved too much for Scotland. Within 60 seconds Welsh prop Wyn Jones crashed over from close-range try to make it 20-17 and although Scotland would score back through Hogg, a late try for Wunderkind Louis Rees-Zammit sealed the deal for Wayne Pivac’s side.
The decision proved controversial online. “Tough call on Zander Fagerson as the Welsh player moves head into the collision …yellow for me,” noted Mike Friday.
Tough call on Zander Fagerson as the Welsh player moves head into the collision …yellow for me
— Mike Friday (@MikeFriday09) February 13, 2021
“S*** I would’ve seen allot of reds if i played today,” wrote former Saracens flanker Jacques Burger, a player renowned for his brutally physical gameplay.
Shit I would’ve seen allot of reds if i played today.
— Jacques Burger (@Nabasboer) February 13, 2021
Former England centre Mike Tindall wrote: “Forwards need to learn to stop tucking their arms! Would make it look better and easier to mitigate down.”
“If Fagerson doesn’t tuck his arm, is this looked at as foul play? Or does it remain a rugby incident where contact was accidental and not really avoidable?” was one response.
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If Fagerson doesn’t tuck his arm, is this looked at as foul play? Or does it remain a rugby incident where contact was accidental and not really avoidable?
— Tom Woods (@tdcwoods1988) February 13, 2021
Steph Brawn wrote: “Tough to take that. Ill discipline was ultimately what cost Scotland today. Along with a red which wasn’t a red. Yellow, yes. Red, nope.”
Tough to take that. Ill discipline was ultimately what cost Scotland today. Along with a red which wasn’t a red. Yellow, yes. Red, nope. #SCOvWAL
— Steph Brawn (@BrawnJourno) February 13, 2021
‘Harsh decision on the sending off. Last week the player was prone and couldn’t move. This week he was competing for the ball and moving about at the point of contact. Yellow at best. Think TMO was trying to push that way,’ Tweeted Pat Younge.
Harsh decision on the sending off. Last week the player was prone and couldn't move. This week he was competing for the ball and moving about at the point of contact. Yellow at best. Think TMO was trying to push that way. @JiffyRugby @brianmoore666 @willcarling #SCOvWAL
— pat younge (@tcmbigcheese) February 13, 2021
Others were less sympathetic to Fagerson’s cause. “Seen loads of pathetic comments saying red card for Zander Fagerson is harsh and the game has gone soft. Ask Michael Lipman or Steve Thompson if that’s the case. Bangs to the head cause life-changing health problems,” Tweeted The Rugby Paper’s Neil Fissler.
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https://twitter.com/neilfissler/status/1360653383540047873
Former Scotland lock Jim Hamilton admitted he viewed it as a red, posting: “It is a red card. Not as bad as POM last week. Zander ran in from distance at speed and contact to the head with a closed arm.”
It is a red card. Not as bad as POM last week. Zander ran in from distance at speed and contact to the head with a closed arm. #SCOWAL
— Jim Hamilton (Vice Captain) (@jimhamilton4) February 13, 2021
“Bizarre logic from the TMO suggesting sudden movement would have been a mitigating factor,” wrote Irish journalist Neil Treacy. “If anything the movement prevented the tackle from being even worse. Red all day.”
Bizarre logic from the TMO suggesting sudden movement would have been a mitigating factor.
If anything the movement prevented the tackle from being even worse. Red all day. #SCOvWAL
— Neil Treacy (@neil_treacy) February 13, 2021
“You can pretty much read Fagerson for O’Mahony here. It seems very likely that Fagerson’s Six Nations will now be over. Expect a 3-week ban.”
You can pretty much read Fagerson for O’Mahony here.
It seems very likely that Fagerson’s Six Nations will now be over. Expect a 3-week ban. 👇🏼#SCOvWAL #GuinnessSixNations https://t.co/7WggkjVyvI
— Rugby and the Law (@rugbyandthelaw) February 13, 2021
The debate rages on, but with the result in the bag and a likely ban on the way for Fagerson, it’s become an academic one for Scottish fans.
Comments on RugbyPass
What a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
14 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
9 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
2 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
8 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
8 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
9 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
8 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
14 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
8 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
9 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
9 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
14 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
14 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
8 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
9 Go to comments