ardugpc says...

When it comes to bans because of what happened in games, then there must be consistency in all decisions, can anyone recall similar sightings that received the same penalties? In Southern Hemisphere terms, that was at most a yellow card, with the next game with a new sighting commissioner it might be nothing at all (ref decides on field), or will end up in 4 week ban, there is no solid guidelines to these things, no matter who plays. The reaction of the local team's crowd and commentators show that they want maximum reaction from sighting commissioners. Yes it was high tackle, and if Dan Carter had intentions to hurt, it would have definitely been much worse. I've seen "legal" tackles where player gets carried off the pitch.

Referees needs to do the sighting duties. Some law guru from Canada or where ever is not good enough. A IRB law enforcer (ref) will be the only ones who can assure consistency give or take a week here and there, based on player's profile ie history of dangerous play. The refs will have a better technical insight and experience to contribute to offenses like these.

Posted 10:01 11th November 2009

bruce says...

What a joke. Are we honestly saying that was the worst tackle of the entire game? Hang on, we're saying it was the worst tackle in _all_ games that have gone without a citing at all?

I challenge the AB's to wear an armband saying "justice" on Saturday!

Seriously, I know they'd never do something like that, but it would be the smart move for the long-term good of the game. This citing thing has gotten out of hand. Citings are there for foul play, especially foul play the referee missed. And by foul play I mean punching etc. To cite a player for a single high tackle is bizarre.

I really hope this happens to the AB's a lot over the next little while. Perhaps if a few more teams get on the receiving end of this something will get done.

And is it me, or is the Australian Commissioner always a little over enthusiastic? Perhaps it's time to troll the record books to see what individual comissioners are doing. Hey Planet Rugby - there's a _real_ article worth doing some research for!

Posted 06:42 11th November 2009

mixedup says...

The whole judiciary process needs to be looked at - it is beyond a joke.

For years it seems, teams have been divided into those that are easy to cite and those that are not. For example England during the reign of 'Woodward and his 50 lawyers' were impossible to cite and get a ban. Other teams including Argentina, South Africa and the 'Dirty Bloody French' (which I do not believe) were all too easy to cite, band and get strategic benefit. THIS HAS TO CHANGE!

Carter is not a dirty player and was in this instance cited more for the swinging arm aspect of the tackle than for the high aspect. Either way a penalty and a yellow card on the field (10 min) and not a ban (80 MIN or 8 yellow cards).

I firmly believe that the old style 'dirty player' cannot exist in the pro game any more as they always get caught out and become liabilities to their teams. The new 'dirty players' are those that play closest to the line and occasionally get their judgement wrong. But hey, it is a hard game played by hard men and is not tiddlywinks.

A process where similar infringements by different players get different sanctions, where the same offence by players of different teams gets different sanctions and a process where the weight given to differing offences is disturbingly out of kilter with the danger to the players and/or the effect they have on the game. The whole process needs to be fixed and fixed soon.

Posted 01:37 11th November 2009

CardiffBlue says...

OttawaSteve has it about right. A penalty - yes. A yellow card - probably not. A citing - no.

The media has gone to town on this - but most supporters I have spoken to agree that it's just been hijacked by sloppy ''journalists/presenters/interviewers'' who should know better.

Posted 18:10 10th November 2009

jmanngod says...

an outrageous over reaction. This has now set the bar at where bans will be? I expect half of every SA team that ever plays from now on to receive one-week bans or more. ...The NH bunch that got together and instigated this will regret this every time they travel down under now.

Posted 17:42 10th November 2009

Bodiddly says...

The citing and subsequent banning business is getting beyond a joke. Yes it has its place where eye gouging and deliberate stamping becomes an issue but please, a weeks ban for this kind of thing? Come on, it's pathetic and I'm willing to bet that the clown who handed out this 'token' ban and his equally idiotic citing commissioner, never made a tackle in their 'namby pamby' lives.

It seems, Mr Umaga, we are playing tiddlywinks after all.

Posted 13:53 10th November 2009

rhk001 says...

What a joke - I am by no means a kiwi fan, but that tackle may have been worth a penalty in the ganme - nver a yellow card !!! I can't see how they could possibly give the guy a 1 match bay. if this is what is happening to rugby we have problems ahead !!

Posted 13:11 10th November 2009