He is a very lucky boy. World Rugby have instructed referees to come down harsh on any tackles involving contact with the head, and understandably so. As we continue to learn more about the long terms effects of concussions and other head injuries, everything must be done to ensure the safety of those on the field of play.
Considering all of this, it is very surprising that Ox Nche managed to avoid a red card here. The Cheetahs are in Dublin tonight to take on Pro14 leaders Leinster at the RDS, with the South African side big underdogs for the game.
They have won only six of their 16 games so far this season, and would have been hoping to cause a major upset tonight. Making this a very physical game would no doubt have been part of their approach, but a line was crossed inside the opening 10 minutes.
With Fergus McFadden kicking the ball in behind the defence, he was met with a bruising shoulder in the head from Nche. The prop was out of control, and it was a very reckless incident. The original call on the field from referee Nigel Owens was a yellow card, but he went on to review the footage to see if that needed to be changed to a red.
"He's very lucky it's just a yellow card on this occasion."
Cheetahs' Ox Nche is shown a yellow card for a tackle on Fergus McFadden, but referee Nigel Owens says it could have been red.#LEIvCHE #GuinnessPRO14 pic.twitter.com/ITHTIx2veZ— eir Sport (@eirSport) March 1, 2019
That looks like a red card to us. While Owens felt no direct contact with the head was made, it is hard to come to that conclusion upon looking at the footage. Nche was out of control, the ball was well gone, and he made no attempt to make a legal tackle. The Welsh referee is probably the top official in the game, but we have to disagree with him on this occasion.
Eddie Jones and Luke Fitzgerald were equally puzzled by the decision.
"I don't know how that is a shoulder to shoulder.
"Once he's had a look at it, there's only one decision in my mind."
Eddie O'Sullivan and @lukefitz11 have not been impressed by Nigel Owens' refereeing during the first half at the RDS.#LEIvCHE #GuinnessPRO14 pic.twitter.com/WqeR3W68zN— eir Sport (@eirSport) March 1, 2019
Luckily, McFadden escaped from the incident unscathed.
