World Rugby insist it is trying to stamp [or a more euphemistic word] out dangerous tackles and blows to the head.
A noble goal but no-one seemed to pass on the memo to South African referee Jaco Peyper and his match assistants [two Welshmen and France’s Mathieu Raynal].
Peyper and his support crew penalised New Zealand for a stack of high hits during their 21-9 win over Ireland, on Saturday. However, only Malakai Fekitoa saw yellow. Johnny Sexton was fortunate, from an Irish perspective, to get away with a swinging arm tackle too.
Less than 24 hours after that game, and Steve Hansen’s terse responses when asked about the high hits, World Rugby has cited two All Blacks. This was the wording of Sam Cane and Fekitoa’s citings:
‘Sam Cane, the New Zealand flank forward, for allegedly tackling an opponent dangerously in the 11th minute of the first half of the match between Ireland and New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium [Law 10.4 (e)]
‘Malakai Fekitoa, the New Zealand centre, for allegedly tackling an opponent dangerously in the same match [Law 10.4 (e)]’
Also cited after this weekend’s games were Nicolas Sanchez [Argentina] and Joe Launchbury [England].
Disciplinary hearings for the 4 players will be held in the next two days in front of independent disciplinary committees of three.
Aaron Kernan joins Colm Parkinson on The GAA Hour to explain the work he’s doing for the Club Players Association. Derry captain Chrissy McKaigue talks Slaughtneil and a Dublin club advertising for hurlers gets a sore touch. Subscribe here on iTunes.
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