The first red card of the Super Rugby season sparks heated online debate

The Highlanders sealed a memorable comeback win against the Chiefs in the opening game of the 2019 Super Rugby season today.

The game had a lot of action, but the main talking point after the game has been Sio Tomkinson’s red card with 15 minutes remaining, something in which the fans are divided on.

❓ What are your thoughts on this? ❓

Sio Tomkinson saw red this morning for this tackle on Brodie Retallick. Do you think that was the right call?

👇 Vote below 👇 pic.twitter.com/lMkFfi9XGj

— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) February 15, 2019

On one hand, a lot of fans are saying that it should have been a red, given the fact that there were no arms and it was to Brodie Retallick’s head. The fans are saying that ones similar to this have been punished in the past, and in modern laws that is a fair call.
https://twitter.com/Lee3069Jones/status/1096321101234429953
https://twitter.com/BrashMark/status/1096327829619322880
https://twitter.com/sumostevenson/status/1096321168301158400
https://twitter.com/timoconnorbl/status/1096333106599116800
https://twitter.com/jtindahouse/status/1096320534529204225
https://twitter.com/jandcleaver/status/1096321064987029505
https://twitter.com/JamieShaw7/status/1096326258357501952

Shockingly poor tackle technique. Every dog on the street knows that officials are looking fot this and a top franchise team is not insisting their players change their tackle behavior. Red card, shoulder to the head with force.

— Pat Ryan (@patrickpfryan) February 15, 2019

However, these issues are never black and white and there is always a lot of contention. A huge number of fans are saying that Retallick ducked into the tackle and caught Tomkinson out.

Some fans are claiming that it was only a yellow card, and some are even claiming that Retallick should have been punished for a head charge. This just goes to show how one incident can have such alarmingly different opinions in rugby.

These fans believe that it was a harsh call:
https://twitter.com/chivers1989/status/1096320586182262784
https://twitter.com/RugbySheep/status/1096321643993944064
https://twitter.com/Lee3069Jones/status/1096321101234429953
https://twitter.com/JDSportsMgmt/status/1096320687243812865
https://twitter.com/Scotti5h/status/1096320711793225728
https://twitter.com/Scotti5h/status/1096320711793225728
https://twitter.com/JHodge1203/status/1096321213121449984

No Retallick went in low with his head. Tomlinson didn’t lead with the shoulder. Looks harsh.

— Noel O Keeffe (@keeffe_noel) February 15, 2019

Some fans have tried to be a bit more diplomatic about the matter, saying that it is a red to the letter of the law, but is a tough one to officiate. Meanwhile, some fans have also highlighted the inconsistencies in refereeing currently, as there are certainly players that have got away with similar or worse offences.
https://twitter.com/FindingCotton/status/1096375203817496577
https://twitter.com/jgemmell10/status/1096338309691912192
https://twitter.com/Jack_Clayton_7/status/1096365930437926912