Ex-Wallaby slams ‘disgusting’ act after defenceless Australian star stamped on SEVERAL times in rare rugby ‘thuggery’
Georgie Friedrichs tackle on Alev Kelter and the American centre's stamping response.
The USA’s Alev Kelter has been slammed for stamping several times on the head of an opposition player during the Pacific Four Series tournament.
Kelter was red carded late on after lashing out at Wallaroos star Georgie Friedrichs, who had tackled her and held onto the leg.
In an attempt to break free, the American centre, who is a three-time Olympian, viciously used her other foot to stamp down on her opponent.
She connected with the head of Friedrichs a few times before referee Aimee Barrett-Theron immediately stopped the play and reviewed it.
Straight red card
The official did not take too long to decide that it was worthy of a straight red card, rather than a yellow and a review.
“This is going to be a permanent red card because this is thuggery, this is deliberate, very dangerous foul play, she’s direct on the head,” Barrett-Theron said.
The 20-minute red has been introduced for acts of unintentional contact with the head but, given that this was serious foul play, Kelter and the USA did not get that reprieve.
She is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines with former Wallaby Morgan Turinui absolutely scathing of the centre’s actions.
“It’s disgusting, that’s not in the game anymore, it hasn’t been in the game,” he said on Stan Sport’s Between Two Posts show. “The only time you see that in the game is when you’re on Instagram and your algorithm throws you 1970s French rugby in Castres or something, or you’re seeing something at Crosby Park in the 70s.
“They will throw as much as they can, it’s high end danger and foul play, it’s as high as you can go. It could be 18 down to 12 [weeks].”
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Alev Kelter (USA) straight red card vs Wallaroos
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Rare occurrence
Since the 20-minute red card was introduced, very few, if any, have received the permanent sending off, but Kelter had been on the edge throughout the game.
The US back, who won a bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics, then stepped way too far over the line in the 79th minute of the match with her team 27-19 down.
Knowing that the game was gone, it boiled over and she duly received her marching orders.
“I have only seen it once – it’s not nice for the game,” Wallaroos head coach Jo Yapp said post-game.
“I have already had the USA apologise and check on ‘GFred’ (Friedrichs). So we will wait and they (World Rugby) will review it.”
