• Home
  • /
  • Rugby
  • /
  • Rugby's Ludicrously Inconsistent Approach To Tackling In The Air Reared Its Head Again Today

Rugby's Ludicrously Inconsistent Approach To Tackling In The Air Reared Its Head Again Today

Rugby's Ludicrously Inconsistent Approach To Tackling In The Air Reared Its Head Again Today
Gavin Cooney
By Gavin Cooney
Share this article

If the arbiters in rugby are consistent at anything, it is their inconsistency in punishing dangerous tackles in the air. Last week, CJ Stander saw red against South Africa for this extremely reckless tackle in the air on Pat Lambie:

A red-card was further punished with a one-week ban for Stander. While Stander was undoubtedly reckless, the general feeling was that the red card was partly given based on the apparent severity of Lambie's injury. The idea that decisions and cards are doled out based on the opponent's injury was given further credence this morning, as Waisake Naholo's only punishment for this late hit on an airborne Liam Williams was a penalty. Watch below:

Recommended

Perhaps on its own merits the Naholo incident did not warrant a yellow card, but in the context of other decisions in the last few years it probably deserved at least yellow. To continue to judge decisions and cards based on the how the opponent falls seems to be incredibly short-sighted.

New Zealand unsurprisingly won: 36-22.

Advertisement

See Also: What Influence Did Andy Farrell Have On Ireland's Win Last Week?

See Also: Joe Schmidt's Team Selection Will Prevent Ireland From Being Destroyed By South Africa

Join The Monday Club Have a tip or something brilliant you wanted to share on? We're looking for loyal Balls readers free-to-join members club where top tipsters can win prizes and Balls merchandise

Processing your request...

You are now subscribed!

Share this article

Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved. Developed by Square1 and powered by PublisherPlus.com

Advertisement