'That's how players clean out in every ruck' - Fans left confused by two controversial yellow cards in final Tri Nations match

Fans have continued to question what players are supposed to do on the rugby field when they’re shown cards for split-second errors that go against the laws of the game.

Specifically, fans have been left confused after the final Tri Nations match of the year between the Wallabies and Pumas, as two players were shown yellow cards for similar incidents at the breakdown.

Marcos Kremer, who finishes the Tri Nations with the most tackles of any Argentinian player (69 tackles) with a 91% completion rate, was the first to be shown a card 16-minutes into the match.

Coach Dave Rennie and captain Michael Hooper reflect on the Wallabies’ 16-all draw with the Pumas in Sydney.

Coach Dave Rennie and captain Michael Hooper reflect on the Wallabies’ 16-all draw with the Pumas in Sydney.

The Pumas enforcer was sent from the field for a high tackle when he was attempting to cleanout Wallabies flyhalf James O’Connor at the breakdown. While there was potential for a red card, the initial contact from the cleanout was on O’Connor’s shoulder.

This led Fox Sports Australia commentator, Phil Kearns, to say that “I’d give it a penalty at worst.”

But 12-minutes later, and after Kremer had returned to the field, it was the Wallabies who went down a player with captain Michael Hooper shown a yellow for a similar incident.

Commentator Rod Kafer questioned the incident as the TMO was reviewing it, saying that “there’s not much else you can do when cleaning out a player who has got his hands on the ball. Contact with the head like that happens every second cleanout.”

After Angus Gardner had sent the Wallabies captain to the sin bin, Kearns added that “it’s just rubbish, both of those yellow cards are ridiculous.”

2 very soft yellow cards, that’s how players clean out in every ruck ????? #AUSvARG

— Josh Tatchell (@jdtatch) December 5, 2020

Hooper yellow card is an awful call! What else can he do! Where is the sport going? #AUSvARG #hooper

— Jacob Mills (@Jacob_P_Mills) December 5, 2020

This has aged incredibly well after those two yellow cards! The players at the ruck wouldn’t get into such an impossible position that we end up with the hits to the head! #TriNations #AUSvARG https://t.co/BuzE6SjPpG

— #rugbyaustralia (@RugbyAUS) December 5, 2020

I… if that’s a yellow card then about 20-30 rucks a game have to end in yellow cards. Feel for Arg there. #AUSvARG

— Elisha Pearce (@ElishaPearce) December 5, 2020

I agree with Phil Kearns i don’t see anything illegal on the two yellow Cards #AUSvARG #TriNations @RugbyPass

— Jan007 #wearyourmask (@Jan0077) December 5, 2020

Both yellow cards are soft but Hooper’s was a textbook clean out. Arms Wrapped and low body height just happened that Sanchez was low over the ball with head sticking in front. #AUSvARG

— Michael Cole ???? (@michaelcole87) December 5, 2020

What on earth are these yellow cards about! What a farce! #AUSvARG

— Oli Guy (@OliGuy1) December 5, 2020

Breakdown needs to be looked at massively… Ruining the game! Yellow card for Hooper #AUSvARG

— Christopher Logan (@CLCourtney82) December 5, 2020

Don’t agree with the decision that Hooper connected with shoulder first – looked like head to me. Yellow possibly still fair due to genuine clear out attempt? #AUSvARG

— Scott Brown (@killieboy87) December 5, 2020

The views on Hooper’s yellow range from perfectly legal clean out, to definite red card. Which emphasises issues surrounding the current laws of the game. #TriNations #AUSvARG

— JMcDaid (@JMcDd) December 5, 2020

The old yellow card even up. That clean out was perfect. #AUSvARG

— Rugby Report Card (@rugby_podcast) December 5, 2020

Kremer gets a yellow card for that clear out while Poite didn’t even give a penalty last week for several similar incidents in the Wales game. Refs need to be consistent #AUSvARG

— Richy Boy (@richbarry_03) December 5, 2020

That's not even a penalty, let alone a yellow card… annnnd the precedent from that should result in a card at every breakdown.

Well done rugby, you've played yourself again. #AUSvARG

— Matt Findlay (@MRFindlay24) December 5, 2020

Shocker of a yellow card loads of them in every game. #AUSvARG

— Gary Williams (@gary_wils) December 5, 2020

Fans being unhappy with yellow card decisions has also sparked up overnight in the North Hemisphere, after Scotland centre Duncan Taylor was shown a card for a deliberate knock-on.

Just like the Hooper and Kremer incidents, fans questioned the merit of the card as against what a player can do to avoid that situation.

That was never a yellow card on Duncan Taylor , he’s come in with his arms stretched to tackle the player and he’s threw it at his arm what’s he supposed to do ? Well played Scotland we can still win this , same again.

— RepublicOfAlba (@LFCIndy1) December 5, 2020

Duncan Taylor’s yellow was very harsh. He was in the motion of tackling and didn’t have an outstretched arm hanging there, like Willemse’s “knock on” in the 6N

— Johnny Sim (@johnnysim5) December 5, 2020

Didn’t even go for the ball… what’s Duncan Taylor meant to do…. no yellow for me. #IREvSCO

— Jack Martin (@JackMartin2100) December 5, 2020

How can they say Duncan Taylor deliberately knocker that on? Think that’s harsh. Let alone a yellow card for it. #IREvSCO

— Gregg ??????? (@GreggC_CC) December 5, 2020

The Wallabies poor discipline continued later in the match, when replacement second-rower Lukhan Salakaia-Loto was red-carded for a high tackle.

Even with 14-men on the field, the Wallabies fell just short of stealing the win, with Reece Hodge missing a 45-metre penalty attempt in the rain.