Game going too PC, say Tigers after red card
Leicester should perhaps consider starting with 14 men in future, after the tigers responded to Will spencer’s controversial red card with furious defiance, eventually losing with honour.
rugby’s most pressing dilemma is how to preserve its combative nature while also protecting its protagonists — sometimes from themselves. that issue exploded back to the top of the sport’s agenda yesterday.
spencer, the visitors’ lock, was sent off by referee ian tempest seconds before halftime, for a high tackle on Wasps hooker tommy taylor.
those are the outline details, but the nature of the offence swiftly divided opinion: between advocates of the new, reinforced laws and crithe
ics who decry how the nature of the game is being vandalised.
taylor had received the ball from Lima sopoaga and quickly passed it on. He was not stooping into contact, but the 6ft home forward had his knees bent as spencer — who stands 6ft 7in tall — hit him fractionally late, with his shoulder appearing to strike taylor’s jaw.
the incident was reviewed and tempest felt there was no option but to send off Leicester’s No 5. tigers captain tom Youngs responded by saying: ‘rugby has changed.’ that much is beyond doubt.
A bemused spencer trudged off, and was greeted by head coach, Geordan Murphy, who said: ‘Bulls***, mate. Bulls***.’ the irishman was still simmering after the game when told Bt sport: ‘the game is going too Pc. that for me is crazy.’ He later added: ‘the red card kind of killed the game. the tMO seemed to be on the side that it had to be a red card and was trying to push for that, saying to the ref, “Look at it again. Look at it again”. ‘rugby is a collision sport for all sizes. it will end up like rugby league, with all players the same size and shape. i understand the principle of trying to look after the players, but if it is a head shot then surely taylor stays down and has an HiA (head injury assessment), but he didn’t.
‘i see the game becoming very different to the game i played and love. they (rugby’s authorities) are making laws on the basis of trying to look after players, but i’m not sure which players and coaches they are consulting.’
there was a certain amount of sympathy from Wasps too. Director of rugby Dai Young said: ‘Whether the game has to go this way or not, it’s clear. that’s the law.
‘it’s there. We’ve had the directive that any tackle direct to the head is a red card. it’s harsh and i’d have been disappointed if it was on our side, but i don’t think it’s something the referee should be criticised for.
‘i hope the player doesn’t get banned for it. there was definitely no intent.
‘We have to protect the players. the guys who are saying the game’s gone soft are guys who are not out there.’
spencer’s dismissal overshadowed a compelling derby. George Ford rallied Leicester after being reduced to 14. they were 25-18 and a man down at the break, but took the lead when sione Kalamafoni blasted over.
But Wasps eventually made their superior numbers tell, as Lima sopoaga’s three late penalties clinched a tense victory. the result will not create aftershocks, but the red card surely will.