Swain treated lightly, pundits claim
MELBOURNE: Australian lock Darcy Swain has been slammed for appearing to deliberately target the leg of Quinn Tupaea during the All Blacks’ controversial 3937 victory over the Wallabies.
In the 35th minute of the clash,
Swain dived with force into Tupaea’s knee as the All Blacks midfielder was engaged over the ball in a ruck.
Tupaea went down in pain after his left knee buckled inwards. He was helped off the field by medical staff and was later seen in a knee brace.
All Blacks coach Ian Foster confirmed yesterday Tupaea will be sidelined for at least three months due to a ruptured medial cruciate ligament in his left knee.
Foster said Tupaea also suffered a partial tear of his anterior cruciate ligament, but was not sure if the midfielder would require surgery.
Swain was cited for the act of foul play and will face a judicial hearing, Foster added.
Television match official Ben Whitehouse reviewed the incident before referee Mathieu Raynal decided that Swain deserved a yellow card.
‘‘That is your responsibility to not put yourself in a reckless position which can seriously injure the player,’’ Raynal told Swain after reviewing the footage.
‘‘You cannot target the lower legs; it’s dangerous so it’s a yellow card.’’
The Wallabies were reduced to 13 players after Tom Wright was also sent to the sin bin shortly before Swain’s incident for cynical play.
Fans and pundits took to social media to criticise Swain’s act, many saying he should have seen red.
Former All Blacks first five Lima Sopoaga was one of many calling for a lengthy ban for Swain: ‘‘Hope there is a lengthy ban for rubbish like this’’.
Former England No 10 Andy Goode described the foul play as ‘‘shocking’’, while also adding that Swain should have been red carded.
Swain was sent off for headbutting England lock Johnny Hill during the test series in Australia earlier this year.
Swain later justified the headbutt by revealing that he was goaded by Hill throughout the first test in Perth: ‘‘I was angry that he was assaulting me like this, and I wanted him to get the message it wasn’t OK.’’ —
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