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JP Pietersen furious as Wales wing defends action that injured Bok Ethan Hooker

JP Pietersen, coach of Hollywoodbets Sharks looks on prior to the Investec Champions Cup match between Sale Sharks and Hollywoodbets Sharks at Salford Community Stadium on January 10, 2026 in Salford, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
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Ospreys wing Luke Morgan has said that his attempted tackle, which resulted in South Africa and Sharks wing Ethan Hooker dislocating his shoulder, was “fully legal”.

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The one-cap Wales wing has come under fire since the Ospreys’ 21-17 victory at Brewery Field on Saturday in the United Rugby Championship, as his attempted tackle on Hooker resulted in the Springbok being forced from the field.

The incident came seconds before the half time whistle as Hooker ran in a try from 70 metres out to narrow the hosts’ lead to 14-12 at the break. However, as he dived to ground the ball, Morgan also dived on him, resulting in a dislocated shoulder.

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The Welshman has since defended his actions on social media in a now-deleted comment, writing: “He clearly hasn’t scored until the ball is grounded. Therefore, because the ball wasn’t grounded means the ball is still in play and I am fully legal to make that tackle.”

That has been questioned by fans online, however, who have queried the legality of his actions.

Hooker’s injury not only had serious ramifications in the match, as the Sharks lost, but to their entire season.

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The defeat means the Sharks now have a very slim chance of making the URC play-offs, as they trail the eighth-place Bulls by 11 points with only three matches remaining. Any attempt to close that gap will be hindered by the absence of the 2025 World Rugby breakthrough player of the year nominee.

While the Sharks have not outlined the extent of the injury, it now casts doubt on Hooker’s participation in South Africa’s Nations Championship fixtures in July against England, Scotland and Wales.

Sharks boss JP Pietersen said it was “very disappointing and frustrating” to lose the 23-year-old, and also questioned the legality of Morgan’s actions after the match.

“Ethan’s injury was a massive blow for us,” he said.

“After scoring a try, the rules say you are not supposed to dive on a player, and rules are there to protect players, and sadly, that did not happen.

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“He dislocated his shoulder. He is a massive presence for us, and to lose him after the first half was very disappointing and frustrating.”

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S
SJ 20 days ago

Look, I am a Shark supporter, the tackle is up for debate, what I am upset about is the “ We were dominating the scrums the last 15 minutes part” and maybe the rules were bent a little. My question is, number 1, why are we leaving things for the last 15 minutes, we should have been dominating the scrums earlier perhaps? Or knowing how important the game was to getting a possible playoff spot, should we not have played with more urgency than just leaving it for the last 15? Number 2, was there no backup plan to get the lead besides the scrum? Yes, it's a game for all shapes and sizes, but uncontested scrums is always a possibility, is there no other plan to win a game for when this happens?

P
PickOllieMathisOrKeepLosing,Rob. 20 days ago

Harden up. Accidents happen.

C
Carlos 20 days ago

ONLY based on the pictures, I don’t understand how falling on top of the player would dislocate the shoulder. Shoulders can dislocate while falling over the arms, but rarely when hit from above. I don’t understand how this happened. This dislocation type is very common of cyclists where they use the arms to stop the fall. They also break collarbones this way.


I just found a video (edit). The player stands up after scoring the try and he does not appear to have shoulder issues right away. A dislocated shoulder is quite painful and the dislocation pain prevents movement almost immediately. From the (poor) videos, it MAY be that when the Welsh player fell on top of Hooker, Hooker had his elbow 90 degree from the ground and the pressure from above may have caused the injury.

It was late, there are tons of late hits like that, almost every weekend. Refs continue to let them go.

H
Hammer Head 20 days ago

Not surprising that we have to educate a Welsh player on how to play rugby, is it?


That he thinks it’s ever okay to dive on a player on the ground (and then deletes his post) says it all.

P
PR 20 days ago

Guy’s a complete dud. Played one game for Wales in 2018 and hasn’t been able to get another international cap since - even with Welsh rugby at their lowest ebb ever. He should be thankful that he was even on the same field as Hooker. He wouldn’t make a Varsity side back in SA.

F
Flankly 20 days ago

You could apply multiple laws from 9.x or 13.x. It’s illegal in literal interpretation and clearly against the spirit of prioritizing safety. The problem is that refs are trading off the goal of “spectacle” and “entertainment” against the laws of the game, and they do that because they are told to do so.


It’s not safe to dive on someone lying on the ground, especially if they have a ball between them and the surface. That’s obvious.


It’s illegal, but legality is apparently secondary. Same with safety.

S
Steve P 20 days ago

Mike Adamson missed a good game on Saturday.

J
JohnS 20 days ago

There was a full head on head contact in the match with Malan Le Roux as well that was not looked at.

S
SB 20 days ago

Saw that live and was astounded that it went unnoticed.

I
Itsallacademic 20 days ago

As I said elsewhere, that was a late, no arms, shoulder charge with a high degree of danger.


Being in goal and/or horisontal makes no difference.

T
Tony D. 20 days ago

Wouldn’t call that a “tackle”.

P
PR 20 days ago

Obvious cheap shot by Luke Morgan. Over-the-hill has-been taking his frustration out on a young, far superior winger. Pathetic really.

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