GEORDAN’S ANGER AT ‘CRAZY’ RED
Tigers chief blast Spencer dismissal
GEORDAN MURPHY blasted Will Spencer’s red card as Leicester lost an eight-try thriller at Wasps.
Tigers’ interim boss was in no mood to take consolation from a heroic effort which saw his side twice lead after being reduced to 14 men.
Instead he railed at what he perceived as the injustice of his 6ft 7in lock being sent off for a high hit on 6ft Tommy Taylor moments before half-time.
“The game’s gone too pc, that for me was crazy,” raged Murphy. “There was no HIA (head injury assessment), no danger to the player. It killed the game.”
Murphy went as far as to claim the thinking that led to the decision could change forever the founding principle of rugby as a sport for all shapes and sizes.
“I see the game becoming very different to the game I played and loved,” he said.
“Everyone’s going to be like rugby league. We’re all going to be the same height and shape.
“Look, I understand the principle of trying to look after players, but if that is a head shot Taylor stays down and has an HIA. He doesn’t so it wasn’t a head shot, was it? It’s a gentleman’s sport, isn’t it. You know if you deserve a red card.”
Murphy’s stance won support from players on social media, with Billy Vunipola tweeting “bad call” and England team-mate Kyle Sinckler adding: “Red card??! Are we playing football or rugby?”
But Wasps boss Dai Young countered: “We have to protect the players. It’s harsh as there was definitely no intent from their man. But the guys saying the game is going soft are not out there.”
And Ross Tucker, the sports scientist who was consultant to World Rugby on the law change regarding head contact, tweeted: “When players & coaches respond this way it significantly undermines efforts to protect the head.
“Too many are too willing to rationalize away accountability, and that obstructs behavior change. A firm message – be lower – is required. Don’t retreat”.
At the time Spencer saw red Leicester were trailing 18-22, yet responded impressively before Lima Sopoaga, on his debut, completed an 18-point haul to kick Wasps to victory.