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'Reckless, career threatening' - Red card for enormous flying hit in France

(Premier Sports)

Castres forward Ryno Pieterse has been given a straight red card and will likely receive a lengthy ban for a huge flying hit on a Bordeaux player in France on Saturday. The South African flattened Bordeaux scrum-half Maxime Lucu as he cleared the ball with a hit that appeared both high and late, although the sheer power of the collision didn’t help Pieterse’s cause.

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The hit ignited a scuffle before referee Romain Poite, shouting ‘carton rouge direct’, managed to break it up and restore calm.

Andy Goode described the hit from the 6ft 6ins, 114kg forward as ‘mindless’, although some suggested it wasn’t high and only marginally late. “Heavy ban coming for this mindless act,” wrote the former England fly-half.

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Recently retired Test referee Nigel Owens concurred with the decision. “I never get involved in citings or length of ban conversations. “But this was as obvious a red card you will see and well done Romain, no TMO lengthy conversations. But it has to now be followed by a very, very lengthy ban.”

Former Wales centre Tom Shanklin simply said: “See ya next year”.

Journalist Paul Eddison wrote: “No need for a TMO here. Absolutely no idea what Ryno Pieterse was thinking but one of the most stupid things I’ve seen on a rugby pitch. Fingers crossed that Lucu is ok.”

Pieterse is a former Bulls forward who signed for Castres last year. It looks like he will now enjoy a significant spell on the sidelines. The match ended in a 23-23 draw.

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J
JW 4 hours ago
Scott Robertson has to take charge of his All Blacks in 2025

I feel like he'd be too happy to select people from overseas and tank the ABs as a result. I mean you gotta do it to find out, but nah, I certainly don't have enough confidence in him to give him that sort of freedom.

smith 100% plays 9 and mounga 100% plays 10

Haha yep you sound like a Razor clone, run his players into the ground without developing the next gen and tanking 2027 WC as a result.


Yes, AJ Lam was that player this year.


That's when DMac is also the biggest liability. Forced to be the playmaker is the best way he can contribute being such a tiny bloke.


That was actually one of the reasons I liked the older age bracket, it attracts the youth and also gives them somewhere to go after hs, something to capitilize on, as currently it all just dies out without an immediate or obvious step. It helps to remove a bit of the seriousness as well, which can be misplaced at that age. Sure it might be older kids that look upto it but I wouldn't change hs footy at all. Agreed though, its about the only place left with that sort of tribalism so you wouldn't want to destroy it. As there wouldn't be more than a dozen university teams hs should definitely still have cause to retain it's high following.


Haha it would certainly be cool being in that particular environment with some influence. I had a mate who worked there and said it wasn't great, but that was under the guy that got kicked out. University rugby is that stepping stone you're after 😉 thank me once you're able to pay for my time and expertise!

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