Discussion as to whether changes are needed to the red-card system has been ignited by Scott Higginbotham being sent off in the Reds’ opening match against the Melbourne Rebels last Friday.
Recent examples show that an early red card obscures the final result so much so that the offending team usually loses.
Takes last year, when the mighty All Blacks were dealt a fatal blow as Sonny Bill Williams was red carded against the British and Irish Lions in their second Test match, denying the Kiwis the win.
Wallabies prop Sekope Kefu was sent off against Scotland in their 2017 end of season match, which resulted in the Aussies losing the match 53-24.
In 2011, Welsh captain Sam Warburton was dismissed early in the World Cup quarter-finals against the Wallabies, seeing Wales knocked out of the tournament.
In short, a red card, especially early in a match, can have devastating consequences.
Sonny Bill Williams (AAP Image/Dean Pemberton)
Higginbotham’s dismissal, in the first ten minutes of the match, had a devastating effect on the final result. Losing your captain so early denies attacking momentum and direction for such a young team.
However, to start questioning the referee’s decision is going against the fundamental principle of rugby, which has been ingrained in our heads since we first picked up the ball.
If there’s no referee, there’s no game and the officials should be considered sacrosanct.
Whether it was Paddy O’Brien, head of World Rugby’s referees, or another official, the decision to protect player welfare is paramount to the continuation of rugby union. An official line in the sand has been drawn and red will be shown when a tackle to the head is enacted, regardless of how much force appears to have occurred.
Players should be taught how to tackle properly and anything high should be obliterated from the game. The fact that a player of Quade Cooper’s pedigree, having played over 60 Tests for the Wallabies, can consistently be sent off for high tackles is astonishing.
How can a player come out of such a rugby nursery as Church of England Grammar School’s first XV and not be able to tackle? Maybe Brad Thorn has a point in his axing.
Player wellfare is the real question that has to be addressed and proper coaching from the grassroots up is the key. Take the emotion out the equation and have a real discussion about how we want our game to progress.
It is still a contact sport, but we no longer send Christians to the lions, so a little bit of cool-headed clarity is needed.
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
The Reds have a history though of culling coaches before those last couple of years bear fruit
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
ClassAct, Or perhaps they could play within the rules ? Is that really such a difficult concept ? PS love the irony.
ClassAct
Guest
Oh Boo Hoo Ruckin Oaf Perhaps men should be banned from playing rugby union before you’d ever be satisfied
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
"Nobody gets sent off in AFL." Nope and I reckon a few times a week you'll see somebody's head take a belting from a "hip and shoulder"
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
So if Genia goes off the field on a stretcher doesn't that ruin the contest for fans ? "But such offenders could be rubbed out for life, if deemed necessary, after a referral to the judiciary....." COULD be or they could miss 3 or 4 weeks and keep on playing.
Chocomuffin911
Guest
Nobody gets sent off in AFL. Copy their system. Fans pay to see a fair contest.
wag
Guest
I agree regarding the tackle on Genia, R.O. I fully support harsh penalties for such But such offenders could be rubbed out for life, if deemed necessary, after a referral to the judiciary --- (without ruining the match as a contest for other innocent players & spectators alike). Surely that message would soon get through to all players?
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
Double next week ? Dunno you reckon Aussie crowds generally line up for a team with a strong scrum that kicks penalty goals ? Having said that I'll be there next week but geez a try or two wouldn't hurt.
Chris Bayman
Roar Rookie
Great perspective
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Spot on! As you say, if something needs to be stamped out of the game, it usually takes a season or two before everyone has adjusted. What is a bit annoying is it seems Rugby is always working on stamping something out of the game. Other teams sports seems to have got their rules right a long time ago and when they do big rule changes it is a pretty big deal, in rugby we are used to it on a yearly basis.
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
Wag Genia was just back from a back injury and was subject to a tackle that has put blokes into wheelchairs. IF I want to watch blokes hit each other around the head I'll turn on the MMA not a game of rugby.
ChrisG
Roar Rookie
It seems to me that players must be aware that a head high tackle will result in a card and time off the field. They must also be aware that generally this will impact their teams chances of winning the game. There was a similar situation a couple of years ago about tackling players in the air, and now we rarely see this happen. In no time at all this will all seem a storm in a teacup.
wag
Guest
The use of RED cards (especially early in a game) makes such matches too one-sided and not worth watching, and unfair on the other players in the offender's team. RED Cards should be used only for EXTREME cases of DELIBERATE DANGEROUS foul play, IMHO. Why can't Rugby swallow its pride, and take a leaf from Rugby League? (- I am more of a Union fan than a League fan). Except at mentioned above, give the offender a YELLOW card, and put him on Report to be dealt with SEVERELY by the judiciary -- who have the time to view the tapes over and over again, interview officials and maybe other players. And then ban the offender from numerous future games, thus assuring that he is well penalised as deserved. And there should be a clause in the contracts of all players that any ban in excess of, say two matches, means that he will not receive "payment" for those missed matches.
Etepeus
Roar Rookie
I would doubt Thorn would even accept, like when first offer AB jersey - he will want to prove to himself first, dont think he reads forums. It will be a up and down season i think, middle of the table is possibly a adequate with the real improvement year 2 and 3.
robbo999
Guest
Disagree - like Hiiggenbotham last week you can see him deliberately cock his shoulder and then charge the other player with no attempt to wrap his arm - keeping it lower got him the yellow rather than a red. Gardiner got it right and had a good game in my opinion. The shoulder charge has aways been illegal in rugby - this is nothing new and I see no difference in the way this has been reffed at the top level over the last 10 years. It is a non-issue - just dumb (or badly coached) players
rebel
Guest
Yes there probably will be someone say that, but in reality we still only have an extremely small sample size with a skewed loss result due to cards and a grinding win. Way to early for thorough analysis. I doubt McKellar is going to get the same level of scrutiny this week that Thorn got.
Etepeus
Roar Rookie
With the way some fans swing i would expect a call for Brad Thorn to be replacing Cheika before the tests start - lol love the roar forums
Etepeus
Roar Rookie
Agree if you hit the head you are gone for 10 or more but this is a contact sport you should be able to hit anywhere else with whatever you can get into the contact - it would seem in my opinion that the laws have gone to far.
Joeys 78
Guest
Brilliant repost. The article was very loose goosey on the facts, all of which lessens the importance and impact of the authors ‘opnion’.
Jacko
Guest
This article should have been about this week.......not last weeks game...Cant wait to see a whole bunch of people.....including Nick bishop.....come on and say how wrong they were to constantly rubbish Thorn last week...