As Les Kiss prepares to hand Harry McLaughlin-Phillips his first start against the Rebels, the experienced coach called on Super Rugby officials to make a stand and protect the playmakers in the competition after Tom Lynagh was smashed late in a tackle during their win over the Chiefs last weekend.
Nor is he the only high profile player likely to come off the bench, with Jordan Petaia expected to return as a finisher after missing last week with a concussion.
The Roar also understands Hunter Paisami won’t be rushed back either, with Isaac Henry firming to start.
The Reds could also tweak their tight-five after a taxing opening three weeks to the competition, with George Blake likely to come onto the bench for Sef Fa’agase.
Lynagh was hammered by Samipeni Finau in the 45th minute in an incident that drew a penalty.
But many were perplexed the incident didn’t draw a yellow card, with the Chiefs blindside flanker hitting the 20-year-old well after he distributed the ball.
At the time, former Wallabies Morgan Turinui and Tim Horan were shocked the tackle didn’t move New Zealand referee Ben O’Keeffe to send the flanker to the sin bin.
“It’s very late,” Turinui said in commentary on Stan. “Normally we’re so obsessed with high tackles, anything that’s not high anymore we don’t seem to look at.”
Horan added: “Yes it’s a good shot but it’s so late that it should be a yellow card.”
On Monday, former Wallaby turned coach Stephen Hoiles said the tackle was a “cheap shot”.
“In this day and age, why is that not a yellow? I know there’s framework, but that’s dangerous, mate,” Hoiles said on Between two Posts.
“That was a cheap shot and that’s a yellow card every day of the week.
“For all the time and effort the game is putting into player safety… I don’t think anyone would have objected if that was a yellow card.
“You’ve got to protect the guys, especially when they’re passing or kicking.”
Watch every match of Super Rugby Pacific ad-free, live & on demand on the Home of Rugby, Stan Sport
Tom Lynagh reacts after copping a late tackle from Chiefs back-rower Samipeni Finau at Suncorp Stadium, on March 09, 2024, in Brisbane. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
On Tuesday, Kiss said Super Rugby officials had acknowledged the tackle could have been dealt with more harshly and called on the game’s officials to ensure playmakers were looked after in vulnerable positions.
“I think every player has the right to feel safe,” Kiss told reporters.
“If you pass the ball and two seconds later you’re getting hit, I think you should be protected and that’s the main focus.
“We don’t want the TMO coming in at every moment, but if it’s something as late as that, that has to be looked at properly and that’s where you ask the TMO to get involved with.
“If that’s becoming a trend we’ve got to stamp on straight away because what you permit, you promote. Good young players, whatever club they’re in, have to be protected.
“I’m not talking about putting them in cotton wool, we know that Tom, Harry, James [O’Connor] and Lawso [Lawson Creighton], they’re tough players, but they don’t deserve anything that’s late and can create a whiplash moment that could hurt you.”
Nor is it the first time that Finau has targeted a young Australian fly-half.
A week earlier against the Brumbies, Finau smashed Noah Lolesio in a similar late shot in the 41st minute.
At the time, referee James Doleman described it as “timing was good, already committed”.
Kiss said that Lynagh was fit to take on the Rebels on Friday in Brisbane, but added that he didn’t have the conditioning behind him after an injury-plagued offseason to back-up time and time again.
“Because they’re young, we make sure we cycle it,” Kiss said.
“Tom, I think he had 20 minutes before I played him in the first game, so he didn’t have a full season. He’s not ‘fully fit’ in terms of his aerobic ability, so we’re managing that. He did cop a couple of hits but he’ll be fine.”
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips is firming for a debut start against the Rebels after impressing against the Chiefs. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
While Kiss said the Reds would settle on their side on Tuesday night, it’s believed McLaughlin-Phillips, who impressed many during the off-season, including in the fixtures against Robbie Deans’ Wild Knights, and came up with the match defining play last week, is firming for a start against the physical Rebels pack.
Should that be the case, Kiss said he was confident in McLaughlin-Phillips’ ability.
“Harry’s just got a great way about him. Nothing flusters him,” he said.
“He just does the job in front of him and does it well.
“He’s also very good at having pressure and running the ball himself, retain the ball and getting it back. He’s comfortable under those pressure moments.”
scrum
Roar Rookie
Not technically correct Geoff. The sanctions for foul play commence at PK, there is no requirement to issue a Card. In my opinion under current framework BOK made the correct decision. However given how late the tackle was and the force I understand the sentiments of some.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
4 weeks was about right for that direct hit to the head Lebrowski. No need for over dramatics.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
LOL. Yes the ref and mo looked 30 times and just didnt see what you did. Refs are useless. You will get no arguement from me. Funny how they all missed the Reds prop red card worthy tackle tho.
Footy Franks
Roar Rookie
Great hit. I’m in the middle and can see both sides. One side said it was late but a legitimate great hit but yeah yellow card but the other side the tackler was just fully committed and not sited to see if player passed ball so maybe a penalty. Not worth getting over dramatic over as spectators come and love great hits. It wasn’t high or a shoulder charge just a bit late. But hey yellow would have been reasonable but not automatic. No point crucifying the ref over.
RayinSydney
Roar Rookie
Cheers Hika, I'll check them out at some point, :thumbup: , I'd think that two examples isn't form unless all his tackles are checked out , but you never know.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Jacko, Bro, I had a present sent to me last week from across the Dutch Ditch, & the reading on it, is very true to what's happening here on this particular blog. It reads, ' There is NO crying in Rugby ' & in brackets, ' unless you're Australian' . Pretty true, as after a great win by the Reds all many can do is pick the bones outta the Chiefs, in a not so good way.
jimmy jones
Roar Rookie
Its a dirty cheap shot.. anyone who's played the game knows it, the technique is to hit with as much shoulder as possible to inflict maximum damage without getting penalised. It very late also and he has form..
jimmy jones
Roar Rookie
If he does im sure the big Fijian boys will step in
HiKa
Roar Rookie
Finau took out Crusader's young 10, Reihana, with a similar shot at 52:14 in Round 1. He cratered Lolesio a bit after NL had passed the ball at 40:18 in Round 2, again with a very hard tackle just below shoulder level on a smaller player who didn't have the ball when hit. And then he was late on Lynagh in Round 3 shortly after half-time. BTW Reihana is still out. I wonder if Finau will take a similar shot at the Drua's young 10 on Saturday. That could get 'interesting'.
pm
Roar Rookie
Feet off the ground, no wrap (BOK was wrong to call that a wrap). It's a yellow. Let that go as only a penalty and it becomes worth it to take out the 10 late. Fill up the hospital wards.
AgainAgain
Roar Rookie
Nothing you have said is polite, so why start now. I’ll just conclude based on your comments that you are the latter.
Honest Max
Roar Rookie
I’m from Qld. As is Matt To’omua. Both of us believe it was a penalty offence and that this kind of thing is part of the game. Move on.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I’m going to be polite and assume you’re confused rather than dim.
AgainAgain
Roar Rookie
Really, it is your opinion that people are thinking he is a hero because of his mistimed tackles. I think that is your own thought bubble. Also not sure what any of it has to do with my mother or what my user name has to do with anything. I am guessing this is you showing off your keyboard skills and lacking anything remotely intelligent, this is what you fall back on. Highly original and clever,. Good for you.
Colin Fenwick
Roar Rookie
Fair enough. It's probably more the ref being influenced by the crowd which I can understand to some extent.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
For holding an opinion, on an opinion site, how would you suggest I was dealt with? I presume your mother christened you Again? Odd choice for somebody with Again for a surname
AgainAgain
Roar Rookie
Text book shoulder charge. Do you actually have any idea what you are talking about? The rest is just you making stuff up. I really wish people who commented or wrote stuff actually had to know the very basics.
AgainAgain
Roar Rookie
Almost as much of a hero as coming onto a social.media platform behind a pseudonym and calling them a hero for a couple of mis-timed tackles. They got dealt with, but no such consequence for the keyboard warrior.
RayinSydney
Roar Rookie
what previous form has Finau got?
W Evans
Roar Rookie
Nobody has an issue with back rowers roughing up 10’s- run hard at them, hit them with big shots. People have an issue with what was pretty obviously a premeditated cheap shot, 4 minutes after half time by the a player with form. It was very very late with force on a player who was defenseless. No doubt whatsoever that it was foul play and dangerous at that. The fact there’s even a debate about whether he deserved a yellow card is mind boggling, especially when Fa’agase has just copped 4 weeks for an accidental head clash where he was bent at the knees and hips. No doubt under the rules that the referee could have carded him for dangerous play and I think 95% of people would say he should have.