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'You just can't do that' - Claims of foul play levelled at Etzebeth
By Ian Cameron
Rugby pundit Ugo Monye has claimed Eben Etzebeth should have been yellow carded during the Challenge Cup final at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where the Sharks emerged victorious over Gloucester 36-22.
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The former Harlequin winger told TNT Sports at half-time Etzebeth should have been sin-binned and Gloucester awarded a penalty try for his tackle on Chris Harris early in the first half.
The incident occurred when Harris was attempting to reach to score, only to be thwarted by Etzebeth, who appeared to slide into the tackle with his knees, saving a sure try.
👏 EBEN ETZEBETH! What a try saver that is!#GLOvSHA #ChallengeCupRugbypic.twitter.com/nL9typwO4s
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) May 24, 2024
Monye did not hold back in his assessment: “I think this should be a penalty try and a yellow card. Chris Harris is so near… initially, I thought this was brilliant…Etzebeth goes off his feet and knee slides in the field of play. You just can’t do that.
“If he had made that from over the try line, then fair enough. Within the field of play you just can’t go off your feet. He just knee slid into a tackle situation.”
Should this have resulted in a penalty try and a yellow card? 🟡@ugomonye certainly thinks so 🤔
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/rNDmv9riKw
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) May 24, 2024
Monye’s comments might spark debate among rugby fans but ultimately the Sharks were by some distance the best of the two sides.
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While some might agree with Monye, many others will think it was simply a brilliant bit of defending from the towering second-row.
Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Ethan Hooker, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 James Venter, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Eben Etzebeth (captain), 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Nthuthuko Mchuni, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Lappies Labuschagne, 20 Dylan Richardson, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Curwin Bosch, 23 Eduan Keyter
Date: Friday, May 24
Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London
Kick-off: 20.00 (21.00 SA time; 19.00 GMT)
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
Assistant Referees: Andrew Brace (Ireland), Pierre Brousset (France)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)