Welsh winger defends dogshot that injured Springbok claiming he was ‘fully legal’ amid ‘shameful’ backlash
Sharks back Ethan Hooker clutching his shoulder and an inset of Ospreys' Luke Morgan's actions that caused the injury.
Ospreys winger Luke Morgan has hit out at fans who criticised his actions that resulted in an injury for Springboks and Sharks back Ethan Hooker.
The incident occurred before half-time of the Welsh side’s 21-17 victory over the Sharks in the United Rugby Championship when Hooker crossed for a try to narrow the Ospreys‘ lead at the break.
The winger latched onto an offload from Vincent Tshituka inside his own half and sprinted away, leaving the cover defence in his wake. When Hooker went over under the sticks, he was dived upon by Morgan who landed on the Sharks star’s back.
Sharks boss frustrated
Morgan’s actions have been slammed on social media and by Sharks boss JP Pietersen, with the incident ending Hooker’s game and probably his URC season, as it resulted in him dislocating his shoulder.
The Welshman’s actions went unpunished by the officials, which also frustrated Pietersen.
“After scoring a try, the rules say you are not supposed to dive on a player, and rules are there to protect players and sadly that did not happen,” he said.
“He dislocated his shoulder. He is a massive presence for us and to lose him after the first half was very disappointing and frustrating.”
Luke Morgan fires back
South African fans shared their outrage online over the incident, with one fan commenting on one of Morgan’s Instagram posts.
“You should be banned for as long as Ethan Hooker is out. Scumbag,” the fan wrote.
Morgan responded, “And you should go bore someone else with a silly little comment like that.”
Another social media user also commented: “Falling on a player after he was clearly going to score is pure filth. Intended to hurt and succeed. Congrats.”
In a since-deleted post, Morgan replied: “He clearly hasn’t scored until the ball is grounded, therefore because the ball wasn’t grounded means the ball is still in play and I am fully legal to make that tackle so you might want to think again about that one.”
Further criticism
Screenshots of Morgan’s replies have since circulated on the social media platform X, with fans further criticising the Ospreys back.
“Sorry mate, you’re wrong on the ‘ball in play’ point. Yes, the try isn’t scored until it’s grounded, but that doesn’t make the contact legal,” @CaptSpringbok remarked.
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“He’s already airborne and in a vulnerable position, and there’s no attempt to wrap, you can’t just drop onto him like that. By the time that contact happens the try is effectively scored, so calling it a ‘tackle’ doesn’t fly. Under World Rugby laws: late contact + no arms on a diving player = foul play and a yellow card!”
@Rugby_AP added: “One thing making a poor and late challenge that injures someone. Quite another to then get on socials and claim you’ve done nothing wrong. Even if he doesn’t get cited because it doesn’t meet the RC threshold, that was a long way from legal.”
Meanwhile, an Ospreys supporter slammed the behaviour of the South African fans: “Shame that Luke Morgan’s partner can’t even post a photo of them together without being abused by the mental South African supporters. Classless as we’ve come to expect from them. The worst fans in sport bar none.”
“Morgan should 100% be cited and World Rugby really need to direct on it, there should be so many more pens on half way than there are post a try,” another fan added.
READ MORE: Springbok’s Sharks departure confirmed while Bulls finally complete fly-half signing
