“Scumbag”
It was a serious accusation to throw out there, by Peter O’Mahony, but Tomas Lavanini had almost detached Cian Healy’s head from its’ shoulders.
With James Ryan off with concussion, O’Mahony had taken over the captaincy against Argentina. The referee’s microphone picked up the Munster back-row coarsely chastising Lavanini, who was eventually red-carded for his moment of recklessness.
While O’Mahony emphatised with the Pumas second row, post-match, it is worth noting that it was the third red card Lavanini has received in his Test career.
On the latest House of Rugby URC episode [LISTEN from 6:00 below] former Ireland forward Mike McCarthy discussed that red card moment, and O’Mahony’s reaction, with hosts Greg O’Shea and Megan Williams.
Tadhg Furlong, Peter O’Mahony and Joey Carbery of Ireland during the national anthem before the Argentina match at the Aviva Stadium. (Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile)Tomas Lavanini loses the head
“Cian Healy was on his knees,” began Greg O’Shea as he looked back on that Tomas Lavanini red card moment, “Lavanini comes in and just hit hit him with all his force.
“It looked as though Healy was properly injured, and Peter O’Mahony just started screaming the head off him… but you even knew, Mike, when I told you there had been a red that it was Lavanini involved.”
Tomas Lavanini picks up the third red card of his Test career for this reckless hit on Cian Healy#IREvARG #rterugby
📺https://t.co/CStwnXf2cB
📻https://t.co/wUq1XxhF4x
📱https://t.co/zXizaUwa8D pic.twitter.com/dfhf0i8Rt9— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) November 21, 2021
While O’Mahony did tell Lavanini he was a “scumbag” and to watch himself, the Cork native spoke in more conciliatory terms after Ireland’s emphatic 53-7 win.
“Ah look, it’s heat of the moment stuff,” he commented. “I’ve been on the other side of that as well so it’s a split-second decision from his point of view. There isn’t much to be said about it now.”
O’Mahony, of course, was sent off against Wales in this year’s Six Nations, after only 14 minutes, when replays showed he had connected with the head of prop Tomas Francis when he was attempting a clear-out. He said:
“These things happen. It’s split-second stuff from him. He’s trying to make an effort to clean someone out. I think he’s got it wrong, and that’s what I thought at the time. You try to look after your buddies, you know what I mean? You’re trying to look after your mates, and the last thing you want to see is them being injured.
“From his point of view, it’s tough. It’s literally fractions of a second. At the time, I was pissed off. But I’ve been on the other side. You’ve got hundredths of seconds where pictures change and it can be a red card.
“The disappointment of getting a red card for your country is something that no-one wants to experience, so I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.”
The Argentina lock will most definitely get cited for the clear-out on Healy and it may affect his club season with Clermont, with who he signed during the summer.
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