Questions over refereeing consistency after Farrell hit

WHO’D be a referee? The Angus Gardner edition.

England and South Africa renewed their rivalry on Saturday and, ultimately, it all came down to a refereeing decision as Australian official Gardner went to the Television Match Official to review Owen Farrell’s monstrous hit on Springbok replacement Andre Esterhuizen in the fourth minute of injury time, with England ahead by 12-11.

On another day – or perhaps even earlier in the game – the referee would have given the visitors a penalty and considered a yellow card as the England back failed to wrap his arms and connected high.

Yet, Gardner decided that no illegality had taken place and sounded the full-time whistle. Even after repeated viewings, the decision was a polarising one.

1 No offence

“I believe there’s enough of a wrap on the far side for it to be a fair tackle,” Gardner said to Farrell’s delight, indicating that he was happy that the player made enough of an attempt to get his right arm around the Springbok to justify the ferocious impact. He didn’t consider the tackle to be too high and felt that Esterhuizen hadn’t survived the contact which made it impossible for Farrell to wrap his arms.

2 Penalty for no arms

Up in the Sky commentary box, Stuart Barnes was unequivocal as he said, “Sorry, it doesn’t matter who you are. That is not an attempted tackle – one shoulder, the other arm is away, he’ll be very lucky to get away with that one”.

He was.

3 A citing?

Eddie Jones cut a relieved figure on the sideline as he savoured a crucial win that almost got away from England and later he defended his star man, but he’ll be sweating on Farrell’s availability for the New Zealand clash next week.

We’ve seen red cards for tackles of a similar ilk this season and, while it will be of no solace to Rassie Erasmus, it could yet derail the Chariot.