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As Lachie Swinton apologised to his Waratahs teammates for his needless high hit, Western Force coach Simon Cron went nuclear at Super Rugby’s officials for missing the Wallaby firebrand’s reckless tackle that left Jake Strachan concussed and saw the forward rubbed out of the game for seven weeks.
Strachan was hit high and late by a Swinton shoulder after just 21 seconds during last Saturday’s 36-16 defeat in Sydney.
Yet, extraordinarily, the incident wasn’t looked at despite the playmaker laying prone on the field for a short time.
Three minutes later, seconds after it appeared Strachan enquired to the assistant referee why the incident wasn’t looked at as Ben Donaldson found touch from a penalty, on-field referee Angus Gardner stopped the game momentarily to alert the No.10 he had been asked to have a Head Injury Assessment.
Strachan, curiously, passed his HIA but was replaced in the 45th minute.
The 26-year-old, who has had several concussions previously, will now be out for “four to five weeks” Cron confirmed on Thursday.
The Wallabies enforcer was cited on Sunday for his hit and was unsuccessful in his attempt to lower the high grading from a SANZAAR Judicial Hearing on Wednesday and was consequently suspended for 10 weeks, before having his ban reduced to seven for expressing his guilt.
Simon Cron expressed his anger and surprise that a late hit on Jake Strachan wasn’t picked up. Photo: Paul Kane/Getty Images
But after biting his tongue for days, Cron, who coached Swinton at the Waratahs in 2019, didn’t hold back, expressing his bewilderment the incident was missed and going as far as asking whether it was purposely glossed over.
“We saw it live, everyone I’ve talked to saw it live,” Cron told reporters on Thursday.
“I don’t know how it’s missed. In the modern game, I don’t know how [it’s missed].
“The TMO has nine cameras, you’ve got nine cameras and we have 100 per cent success rate of you all seeing it live in a game and yet a guy in a box, and there’s two guys in that box, with nine cameras miss it. So, you’ve got to ask the question: did they miss it, or did they choose to miss it? I don’t understand how you can miss it.
“It’s really disappointing in terms of the way that the game is going and what we’re trying to achieve and what we’re trying to do.”
While the utility back was seen by an independent doctor, Strachan’s concussion brings into question the effectiveness of the HIA protocols.
Lachlan Swinton will miss the next seven weeks after being banned for a reckless high shot on Jake Strachan. Photo: Matt King/Getty Images
Nonetheless, Cron said he was disappointed the Force, including the on-field players, didn’t pick up Strachan was not quite right.
“It’s also disappointing because he passed his HIA and then ended up on the field again,” Cron said.
“I wish I picked up that he was not good. He was battling to make any calls, structure, system wise.
“We had some young leaders out there and they said to me after the game he wasn’t talking to us. If I’d known that, I would have pulled him off immediately, and I wish that I had picked up on that myself from the box. I’m disappointed that we didn’t see him.
“That massively impacts the team as well because your first receiver is not able to call the game or defend in the frontline.
“I felt bad for ‘Strachany’ because it is risky, it scares me. But ultimately, if it had been dealt with probably the first time it would have been a lot clearer for everybody.”
Force CEO Tony Lewis wrote to officials expressing his disappointment.
Swinton spent the first half of the week at the Wallabies’ training camp under Jones.
The hard-hitting back-rower addressed the Waratahs on Thursday to apologise for his brain explosion, where he won’t play another game this season unless NSW make the finals.
His suspension comes after missing the vast majority of last season, where the Wallaby, who was red carded on debut against the All Blacks, fought through a nerve issue in his shoulder.
“He knows he got it wrong and he is gutted, because he knows he has let the team down,” teammate Jed Holloway said.
“That was his best game since coming back from the shoulder, he was whacking blokes, he was carrying well, his lineout was great.
“We love Swinno and we have seen the growth he has made in his game around the discipline and stuff. It is disappointing he has put himself in that situation but he is the first one to put his hand up and own it as well.”
Meanwhile, the Force will be out to get back on the winner’s list against the Highlanders on Saturday night.
After having to play four matches away from home on the road, including a three-week tour of New Zealand, the Force welcome back their captain Michael Wells, playmaker Bryce Hegarty and Toni Pulu from injury.
The timely returns come as the Force welcomed back Isi Naisarani and Carlo Tizzano to the franchise.
2019 World Cup Wallaby Isi Naisarani is back in Super Rugby after signing a short-term deal with the Force. Photo: Craig Mercer/Getty Images
Neither were named against the Highlanders but could feature next week after coming back from a knee-injury.
Naisarani, 28, missed the 2022 season after moving to Japan but could rocket back into Wallabies consideration for the World Cup if he can hit the ground running.
“One of the things we’ve got to do is build a program here that people want to come to and both of those boys are amazing athletes and previously were at the Western Force,” Cron said. “So we’re excited to have them both back.
“Obviously had some early conversations with Carlo a few months ago just around his life and what he wants to achieve and what he wants to do, and then the opportunity came up for him to come back to us, so he’s here now and will stay here long term.
“Isi’s a weapon. He’s a big strong body and we’re a little bit light on in some of the back five positions and I plan to play him at lock as well as eight, so I’m sure he’s excited by that.”
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.