Munster have deservedly been receiving plaudits after their victory down in Pretoria against the Bulls.
A tough performance across the park ultimately saw the Irish province overcome their hosts, who went down to 14 men early in the second half.
After just scoring their second try of the half and getting back in the lead, out-half and former Springbok Johan Goosens was sent off after a head on head collision with Munster's Craig Casey.
RED CARD BULLS
55mins BUL 22-17 MUN
Bulls down to 14 men as Johan Goosen sees red for a dangerous tackle on Craig Casey.
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While it's hard to argue against the decision the referee and TMO made, the incident was fairly comparable to a collision between Luke McGrath and Kurt-Lee Arendse a few weeks ago when the Bulls were in Dublin playing Leinster.
Winger Kurt-Lee Arendse was running in over the line and Leinster scrum-half made a last ditch tackle to try prevent the try. The two's heads collided and McGrath was given a yellow card for the challenge, despite many thinking it was a red card offence.
29 March 2024; Kurt-Lee Arendse of Vodacom Bulls collides with Luke McGrath of Leinster on his way to scoring his side's first try during the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Vodacom Bulls at the RDS Arena in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
McGrath was fortunate to come back on to the pitch and Leinster would run away with the game in the second half, winning 47-14.
That result could've been very different if Leinster were down to 14 and the result yesterday likewise had Goosens only been given a yellow like McGrath was.
Speaking after the game former World Cup winning coach and now Bulls boss Jake White talked about how officials want to make the game safer but there is some inconsistencies in decisions.
It's such a difficult one because I understand that they're trying to make the game and it's true they're trying to make the game safer.
They don't want concussions, I mean that's the way.
So you know one week you might be fortunate with a referee says look that was a rugby incident or like that one (McGrath) was a yellow card even though he knocked Kurt-Lee like that. Sometimes you've got to take the rough with the smooth.
I definitely think it changed the outcome of the game
Bulls coach Jake White on the inconsistency of red cards - comparing Goosen red to McGrath yellow in the Munster game a few weeks ago pic.twitter.com/pZl9Tipvz2
— Brenden Nel (@Brendennel) April 21, 2024
While we do want to see less concussions, we need more consistency with the decisions as well.
READ ALSO: Conor Murray Proved A Lot Of People Wrong With All-Time Performance In Bulls Win
20 April 2024; Conor Murray of Munster during the United Rugby Championship match between Vodacom Bulls and Munster at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa. Photo by Shaun Roy/Sportsfile
