The Lemon Fool

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/65035837

Common sense prevails but too late to give back the spectacle that could have been!

redsturgeon wrote:https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/65035837

Common sense prevails but too late to give back the spectacle that could have been!

Common sense indeed - seems like they think there was foul play but should have been mitigated down to penalty or yellow - shame they didn't get to that conclusion on the pitch - I like the new approach in super rugby where in an incident like this (possible red for foul play), they go to yellow and restart the game, and then the TMO panel has 10 minutes to complete the analysis and see if it should be upgraded to red. The working out can be done without millions of people hanging on every word of each ref/TMO realtime.

The London Irish Game on sunday had 2 incidents that matched this incident and both were lowered to Yellow. The commentary made by the ref was common sense, unlike Steward Red Card which, to me, was extremey harsh and not in keeping with the idea. Just my opinion of course.

The pressure on referees is clearly immense in such circumstances - nevertheless Steward (and England) was given a harsh red card. The referee (and all the other officials) went through the tick box routine without asking themselves of how Steward could have 'pulled out' from the clash given Keenan was low and was the marginally the sufferer of his own action. Frankly, Steward was unjustly dealt with.

The game was effectively ruined at a time England was holding their own.

T7

Any thoughts on the 20 minute red card idea? Player sent off for 20 mins, can't return but a sub can then be sent on after 20 mins. Gives refs an option that is more serious than a yellow but not as final as a red.

bluedonkey wrote:Any thoughts on the 20 minute red card idea? Player sent off for 20 mins, can't return but a sub can then be sent on after 20 mins. Gives refs an option that is more serious than a yellow but not as final as a red.

Unsure at the moment. Initial reaction is that it might dilute what they are trying to achieve with changing contact behaviour long term in order to optimise player safety. Has it been trialled anywhere with any results/observations yet - southern hemisphere?

Refs have a difficult time. Rugby gets is right with respect generally shown to the ref and any chatback from the captain only. Did spoil the contest but England did a good display given most were writing them off beforehand.

Football on the other hand with Fulham's terrible 2s meltdown, need to learn something from how adults behave on sporting field. Ie should just be captain allowed to interact with refs.

Adamski wrote:
Football on the other hand...

The culture here could change in less than 3 months if the authorities were serious and wanted it to. Obviously they don't.

Contemporaneous comment from me:

“ I am NOT in agreement with that red card. There was absolutely no intention to hurt. A collision it was impossible to avoid, and he turned to defend himself. Just because the Irish fella was unaware and head-on, he took a bad knock. Yes, it was dangerous. It happens when things are moving. It wasn’t as bad as going head-over-the-bars when your front wheel stops in a tramline. But there’s one to blame.”

Furlong hit from Scotland match.
https://imgur.com/a/1VL6euw