1
Ireland fans aren't happy with Bundee Aki ban
Following his red card against Samoa on Saturday, Ireland centre Bundee Aki has been banned for three weeks, bringing an end to his Rugby World Cup.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Connacht back faced a lengthy hearing on Monday, and the committee decided to uphold the red card decision by referee Nic Berry, although Ireland can still appeal. This is despite the Irish Rugby Football Union’s claims that Aki did not have time to adjust his body, and that UJ Seuteni dropped his height.
However, World Rugby have said that the “committee did not accept that there was sufficient evidence of a sudden drop in the ball carrier‘s height.” Furthermore, they also said: “Although the tackle occurred quickly, the player’s tackle height was high and it was accepted he did not make a definite attempt to change his height in order to avoid the ball carrier’s head.”
In light of this decision, there has been a sizeable reaction of social media from those who simply do not understand how Aki can receive the same ban as others have in the RWC.
The tackle was dangerous, and while it is mitigated by the fact that both players were charging towards a loose ball, some do understand that it was a red card. But what seems to be confusing many people is this blanket three-week ban that has been handed out to so many players.
Like most players this RWC who have been banned for high shots to the head, Aki received a six-week ban that was reduced to three, and that is understandable as it was not the worst offence this RWC. However, compared to the three-week bans that Italian props Andrea Lovotti and Nicola Quaglio received for a tip tackle on Duane Vermeulen, it does seem strange.
While that was a different tackle, and therefore harder to compare, the USA’s John Quill equally received a three-week ban for his high tackle to Owen Farrell.
ADVERTISEMENT
In both cases, Farrell and Vermeulen were able to play on, which opens the debate as to whether the outcome should have a bearing on the decision. While Aki’s tackle had worse effects, there was no malice, or certainly far less than the other two offences.
Conversely, the fact that England centre Piers Francis received no ban for a high tackle that was missed against USA fullback Will Hooley has also left some fans questioning the entire process.
This has been the reaction:
https://twitter.com/iancognito16/status/1183750062578585600?s=20
https://twitter.com/ZippyChuck/status/1183752131695828992?s=20
https://twitter.com/nkeegan/status/1183754242118635522?s=20
https://twitter.com/cornerback4fun/status/1183755533565612032?s=20
https://twitter.com/jimmacmillan2/status/1183755842048401408?s=20
https://twitter.com/Jakepaullogang0/status/1183760072066895872?s=20
https://twitter.com/MikeDolley/status/1183766708881940480?s=20
https://twitter.com/themikekeating/status/1183771095595401218?s=20
On reflection, this ban perhaps highlights where World Rugby went wrong when banning the Italian props. Aki’s ban seems in line with many other players who have committed dangerous tackles without malice so far this RWC. Realistically, Lovotti and Quaglio can deem themselves extremely lucky rather than Aki see himself as unlucky after this ordeal.
ADVERTISEMENT
Even with 14 men for over 40 minutes, Ireland were too strong for Samoa at the Level-5 Stadium, as they won 47-5. They face the All Blacks in the quarter-final, but will be without their bulldozing centre.
Comments on RugbyPass
It’s not up to Wales to support Georgian Rugby. That’s up to International Rugby and Georgia. I sympathise with Georgia’s decent attempt to create this fixture. But for Wales the proposed match up is just a potential stick to beat them with and a potential big psychological blow that young Welsh team doesn’t need. (I’m Irish BTW.)
2 Go to commentsCale certainly looks great in space, but as you say, he has struggled in contact. At 23 years old, turning 24 this year, he should be close to full physical maturity and yet there exists a considerable gap in the power and physicality required for international rugby. Weight doesn’t automatically equate to power and physicality either. Can he go from a player who’s being physically dominated in Super rugby to physically dominating in international rugby in 1 or 2 years? That’s a big ask but he may end up being a late bloomer.
28 Go to commentsIf rugby wants to remain interesting in the AI era then it will need to work on changing the rules. AI will reduce the tactical advantage of smart game plans, will neutralize primary attacking weapons, and will move rugby from a being a game of inches to a game of millimetres. It will be about sheer athleticism and technique,about avoiding mistakes, and about referees. Many fans will find that boring. The answer is to add creative degrees of freedom to the game. The 50-22 is an example. But we can have fun inventing others, like the right to add more players for X minutes per game, or the equivalent of the 2-point conversion in American football, the ability to call a 12-player scrum, etc. Not saying these are great ideas, but making the point that the more of these alternatives you allow, the less AI will be able to lock down high-probability strategies. This is not because AI does not have the compute power, but because it has more choices and has less data, or less-specific data. That will take time and debate, but big, positive and immediate impact could be in the area of ref/TMO assistance. The technology is easily good enough today to detect forward passes, not-straight lineouts, offside at breakdown/scrum/lineout, obstruction, early/late tackles, and a lot of other things. WR should be ultra aggressive in doing this, as it will really help in an area in which the game is really struggling. In the long run there needs to be substantial creativity applied to the rules. Without that AI (along with all of the pro innovations) will turn rugby into a bash fest.
24 Go to commentsSouth Africa rarely play Ireland and France on these tours. Mostly, England, Scotland and Wales. I wonder why
1 Go to commentsIt was a let’s-see-what-you're-made-of type of a game. The Bulls do look good when the opposition allows them to, but Munster shut them down, and they could not find a way through. Jake should be very worried about their chances in the competition.
2 Go to commentsHats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
1 Go to commentsSad that this was not confirmed. When administrators talk about expanding the game they evidently don’t include pathways to the top tier of rugby for teams outside of the old boys club. Rugby deserves better, and certainly Georgia does.
2 Go to commentsLions might take him on if they move on Van Rooyen but I doubt he will want to go back, might consider it a step backwards for himself. Sharks would take him on but if Plumtree goes on to win the challenge cup they will keep him on. Also sharks showing some promising signs recently. Stormers and Bulls are stable and Springboks are already filled up. Quality coach though, interesting to see where he ends up
1 Go to commentsAnd the person responsible for creating a culture of accountability is?
3 Go to commentsMore useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to commentsThis disgraceful episode must result in management and coach team sackings. A new manager with worse results than previous and the coaching staff need to coached. Awful massacre led by donkeys.
1 Go to commentsInteresting article with one glaring mistake. This sentence: “And between the top four nations right now, Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand…” should read: And between the top four nations right now, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France…”. Get it right wistful thinkers, its not that hard.
24 Go to commentsHow did Penny get the gig anyway?
3 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
28 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
2 Go to commentsCant get more Wellington than Proctor.
2 Go to commentsWhy not let the media decide. Like how they choose the head coach. Like most of us we entrust the rugby system to choose. A rugby team includes the coaches. It's collective.
14 Go to commentsHi NIck, I have been very impressed with him and he seems a smart player who can see opportunities which Bobby V _(who must be an international 6_) doesn’t see or have the speed to take advantage of. If he continues to improve and puts on 5kgs then he could be a great 8. He is a bit taller than Keiran Reid at 1.93m and 111 kgs, so his skill set fits his body size and who knows where it will lead. I hope the spate of Achilles tendon issues have been dealt with by the S&C people. It’s been a very long time since Mark Loane and Kefu stood out at 8. The question is will we be able to hold onto him, if he does make it he will be pretty hot property. I disagree with the idea of letting them go to the Northern Hemisphere and then bring them back.
28 Go to commentsBilly Fulton 🤣🤣🤣🤣 garrrmon not even close
14 Go to commentsDoes the AI take into account refs? hahaha Seriously why not have two on field refs to avoid bias?
24 Go to comments