Reds cards on the money in Bledisloe IV but since when is poor tackle technique on par with three punches to the head?
When Ofa Tuungafasi was sent from the field in the 23rd minute of Bledisloe IV, you could tell that various rugby media folk around the world would be licking their lips.
For the third time in four years, the All Blacks were again to be playing with a man down – what shambles! The match was about to be ruined – the only tier one international match of the weekend, as it so happened – the contest was about to be over, and the game of rugby was once again going to be brought into disrepute.
As World Rugby’s critics crawled out of the woodwork, however, something remarkable happened.
A mere 12 minutes following the All Black prop’s red card, and with the scores locked at 8-all, the ledger was suddenly evened up as Wallabies debutant Lachie Swinton was marched from the pitch for exactly the same crime as Tuungafasi.
‘What now?’ the wind-up merchants cried to anyone who would listen – all the folks unfortunate enough to follow them on social media.
After all, with the scores even and the playing numbers level, red cards hadn’t ‘ruined’ the game and what was there to complain about?
Some critics pivoted.
“Our game does not need red cards,” declared former All Black John Kirwan. “People have paid good money to watch a game of rugby with 15-a-side. That’s my biggest issue.”
Kirwan is correct on some level. While fans don’t necessarily expect to always see 30 men on the field, they certainly don’t go to a match hoping for a player or two to be sent off.
The structure of the game takes a big hit when a side is permanently forced to play with one fewer player, as we saw on Saturday night. Every man on the pitch is a vital cog in the machine and although a side might be able to make do without a winger, losing a forward is an entirely different kettle of fish.
But the game’s organising body also doesn’t expect to see red cards being pulled left right and centre, even thought the rules are clear cut.
Ahead of last year’s World Cup, World Rugby issued very clear and very strict framework for the policing of high tackles.
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Regarding what happened in Brisbane, any shoulder charge to the head will automatically result in a red card unless there are mitigating factors. Those mitigating factors include a sudden drop in height from the ball-carrier or if the tackle rides up from the first point of contact.
There was no sudden change in height from either Tom Wright or Sam Whitelock or other mitigating factors, however – despite New Zealand commentator and former All Black Justin Marshall’s comments at the time.
It should be noted that Kirwan, when lamenting the red cards, wasn’t advocating that players shouldn’t be punished for their indiscretions. The former Japan, Italy and Blues coach instead suggested that World Rugby adopt a similar approach to the laws that were trialled during Super Rugby Aotearoa, where red-carded players could be replaced after a set period of time.
That would ensure that offending players are still reprimanded, but their team and the spectators don’t suffer unfairly.
The team argument is a shallow one. When one player commits an indiscretion at the breakdown, it’s not just the individual that’s marched ten metres down the field, it’s them and all their teammates. That’s simply the nature of team sports.
Kirwan was also unhappy that Akira Ioane, in his debut game, had to be pulled after 25 minutes because the All Blacks needed to bring on a front row replacement for Tuungafasi.
Somewhat melodramatically, Kirwan claimed that players’ livelihoods were at stake – that Ioane’s value won’t be a fair reflection of his capabilities as he’s losing out on an opportunity to prove himself thanks to Tuungafasi’s poor tackle.
Again, rugby is a team sport. Any one player is constantly being made to look better or worse than they truly are due to the teammates around them.
There’s still some merit to Kirwan’s comments – though you have to sift through the dirt to find any licks of gold.
“This is what really annoys me about World Rugby,” he said. “Make some decisions for the entertainment of the game, for the fan, put people on report or replace them.
“Let’s leave the refs alone… I believe that the protocols are wrong and we need to change them.”
The problem isn’t specifically with the high tackle framework. Despite what Kirwan, Marshall and no doubt a trove of other former players might tell you, rugby needs to tread very carefully with regards to any player welfare issues. We still don’t really understand the impact multiple head knocks and concussions can have on former players once they reach their twilight years – but we do know that there are some unfortunate souls who have already been gravely affected.
The problem doesn’t lie in the high tackle protocols – they’re clear cut. Hit a player high and unless it’s completely outside of your control, you’ll be time on the sidelines.
The problem lies in how consistently foul and dangerous play is treated.
Take Filipo Daugnu’s challenge on Caleb Clarke in Sydney, which saw Clarke’s legs taken out while he was jumping to claim a high ball.
Thankfully, the 21-year-old landed on his side – after reaching out to break his own fall. But there was a very real possibility that Clarke could have landed dangerously, especially if he hadn’t reacted fast enough.
Had Clarke flipped completely, Daugunu would have been handed a red card. Instead, the Wallabies wing was sin-binned for 10 minutes.
Ultimately, the severity of Daugunu’s punishment was hugely dependant on Clarke’s reactions – which is a dangerous approach to refereeing.
Reaction has been plentiful online to the ex-All Black's claim rugby should ditch using red cards https://t.co/rKLi32sQY3
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 11, 2020
If Clarke’s lack of injury was enough to decrease Daugunu’s challenge from a red card to a lighter shade, then why isn’t the same method used for adjudicating high tackles?
And while Tuungafasi and Swinton’s tackles were reckless, there was likely no malice in their actions, which can’t be said for the punches thrown by Sona Taumalolo in Hawke’s Bay successful defence of the Ranfurly Shield on Sunday.
Taumalolo was handed a three-week ban by New Zealand Rugby – one week for each punch, after his six-week starting sentence was cut in half for good behaviour over a long career.
How anyone could determine that three deliberate punches to the head were equal to one collision resulting from poor technique is a mystery, but it highlights the inconsistencies in sentencing.
We have three scenarios – taking out a player in the air, high tackles, and deliberate foul play – which have all ostensibly been assessed using different criteria. It’s a farce and a half.
Given the different approaches, you can understand why someone like John Kirwan might be frustrated with a team going down to 14 men for a match based on the actions of one player – actions which aren’t always refereed to the same standard. Thankfully, in the Wallabies’ win on Saturday, referee Nic Berry was as consistent as a dial tone.
At the end of the day, consistency is arguably the most important thing when it comes to applying the comprehensive, sometimes convoluted laws of the game. Berry got it right on the weekend, but that doesn’t mean the various regulations which apply to foul play are fair or even uniform.
It’s an area of rugby which will always attract attention, especially when the laws come to the fore in big matches with lasting consequences.
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Comments on RugbyPass
Oh wow… “But as La Rochelle proved in winning in Cape Town this season, a cross-continental away assignment need not spell the end of days.” La Rochelle actually proved quite the opposite. After traveling to Cape town and back they (back-to-back and current champs) got mercilessly thumped the next week. If travel is not the reason, why else would a full-strength powerhouse like La Rochelle get dumped on their @r$e$ one week later?
26 Go to commentsYou know he can land a winning conversion after the full time siren is up. (Even if it takes two attempts.)
5 Go to commentsA very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
2 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
2 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
26 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
26 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to comments