Rassie puts the boot into Gatland on Farrell foul play
South African Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus doesn’t miss a trick. The World Cup winning coach wants to know why Owen Farrell wasn’t carded for a shoulder to the head tackle on Jasper Wiese in SA ‘A’s 17-13 win against the British & Irish Lions, writes Mark Keohane.
Erasmus took to his personal social media account to showcase the clip.
Faf de Klerk was yellow carded for what referee Jaco Peyper interpreted a reckless tackle on Lions flanker Josh Navidi. However, Gatland believed it should have been a red card.
The Irish Examiner quoted Lions coach Warren Gatland as saying:
Erasmus, on his social media account, hit back: ‘While you at it please get clarity on this also!! Red, yellow, penalty or play on? We have to 100% sure and aligned! Can’t agree more.’
Then Erasmus posted a clip of Owen Farrell’s shoulder connecting with Wiese’s head in a tackle collision.
While you at it please get clarity on this also !! 🔴🟡 penalty or play on ? We have to 100% sure and aligned ! Cant agree more pic.twitter.com/OxBReYlMXq
— Rassie Erasmus (@RassieRugby) July 16, 2021
Here's some help with the video for footage quality @ExaminerSport @RassieRugby pic.twitter.com/mqik6KBaZ0
— Jaco Johan (@thenosyone987) July 16, 2021
And thanks to a Twitter user, as above, a clearer video of the contact to Wiese’s head, Farrell on De Klerk and more on De Klerk getting and elbow to the neck.
Erasmus wasn’t done. He posted another clip of Faf de Klerk being hammered, although after the whistle.
If there is time maybe also get absolute clarity and alignment on this one please, I know its way after the whistle, but lets just align and get clarity to be sure pic.twitter.com/6MKvHY4662
— Rassie Erasmus (@RassieRugby) July 16, 2021
A week ago, I wrote that Fiji captain Levani Botia should have been sent off for nearly decapitating All Blacks fullback Damian McKenzie. The match officials didn’t even think it warranted a penalty.
Also on www.keo.co.za
This article from SA Rugby Mag Zelim Nel highlights that referees don’t have a clue when it comes to consistency in head collisions.
Rugby collision or a card? the pictures that show referees don’t have a clue