My grizzle today is about the rugby union rules around head knocks. I can not figure them out and I have been involved in this game for 65 years.
If you go back to the 2nd test All Blacks v Ireland, Angus Ta’avao attempts a tackle on Garry Ringrose and there is head contact. Ta’avao gets a red card, The AB’s are down to 14 players for the rest of the match, and then Ta’avao cops a 3 week ban for head contact.
In game 3 of the same series, Andrew Porter tackles Brodie Retallick and there is a head clash. Porter gets 10 minutes in the bin, and The AB’s lose Retallick for 8 weeks with a broken cheekbone.
No further action for Porter, as the World Rugby judiciary stated that the tackle was an absorbing tackle. What the hell is that? World Rugby head contact process is, ZERO tolerance of foul play where head contact occurs. ZERO.
So, if a player makes a play at a ball and this is called a deliberate knock-on, he gets 10 minutes in the bin, and if you tackle a player around the head, break his jaw, and put him out of action for 8 weeks, you get 10 minutes in the bin. ARE YOU SERIOUS?
Personally I do not mind if the referees call yellow or red card ,but there must be consistency by all referees and judiciary officials. Can you see where this game is going? Backwards, and at a great rate of knots.
Try and enjoy your footie which is now a farce.
Another thought about rugby union rules ↓
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