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'I felt like a criminal': Jack Yeandle on the disciplinary process following first red card in his lengthy Premiership career
Seasoned Exeter hooker Jack Yeandle has spoken about the impact his first-ever red card had on him and his season at the Chiefs. It was February 26 when he became the first Exeter player in four years to be given his marching orders, the forward becoming the sixth player across the Gallagher Premiership to be sent off in the space of seven days at a time when referees were heavily clamping down on any contact with the head.
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A three-week ban was copped to rub salt into the wound that was losing 25-20 at Sale and at his hearing, Yeandle stated: “My action in entering the breakdown with my left arm not extended was reckless.”
Eleven weeks later, Yeandle, who made a January 2013 Premiership debut and wracked up more than 200 appearances in the tournament for Exeter, has now spoken about the ordeal of suffering a first career red, describing the subsequent disciplinary hearing as an ordeal.
“I felt like a criminal! I didn’t realise how official and how thorough it all is. It was very much a case that I sat down with a lawyer and then it all goes through the hearing and everything like that. It’s not the most fun,” quipped Yeandle, going on to explain what happened in the Exeter game at Sale and the training ground effect it has since had on him.
“It’s just making sure you are extra careful around the breakdown. Like any rule that gets highlighted for a bit, they will be extra cautious with it so things like tackle height and stuff. It has never been an issue, my tackle height. Mine was a clear-out, but if it is in the spotlight you have just got to be extra careful.
"He had only just got back fit and was looking very good and sharp…"
https://t.co/x3EUwxwKEO— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) May 14, 2021
“Mine was just a bit sloppy and reckless in the way that I got my card. It was one of those ones where I didn’t need to hit (the ruck). I thought I best hit it just to get it out of the way and it was just a bit reckless where my arm was going. You have got to make sure your arms are always leading and your arms are wrapped. I didn’t, got myself a red card and cost us the game. It’s definitely highlighted in training.
“We had actually spoken about it in training a few weeks prior to my red card as well and it was a pretty horrible lesson I had to chew on there but it’s definitely picked up in training. We are very aware of it and when we do clear-out drills and things like that. It’s emphasised to lead with your arm and get a wrap on your arm so you are not going to get yourself on the naughty step.
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“The game is so different now. Look at the game from ten years ago, it’s completely different how organised defences are. The game is constantly changing, the rules are in place and you have got to adhere to the rules. The rules change quite often, don’t they, and it is up to the players. If you are not going to adhere to the rules, you are going to get yourself carded, you are going to get yourself punished for it so you have got to be able to adapt and the good players do.”
The outcome of the three-week layoff was that it pegged Yeandle’s momentum in the season and left him struggling to pick up the thread when he returned from the suspension. “I was playing decent rugby at the point. It did knock me a bit and I didn’t come back in the best of form.
“It was probably reflected in playing quite poorly in the European games as well. I’d like to think I’m starting to get back there again now after a couple of games but it serves me right, I shouldn’t have got the red card. I could have stayed on a bit of form and played a few more games.”
Things got heated in Dublin when Henderson wanted Henshaw carded for monster tackle #Lions2021 #Lions #LEIvULS https://t.co/lGoEqh6x82
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) May 14, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
The Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
3 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
3 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
3 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
30 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
9 Go to commentsPick Swinton at your peril A liability just like JWH from the Roosters Skelton ??? went missing at RWC
14 Go to comments