Rugby World Cup 2011

[junior9]

a yellow would've been enough for me but he was stupid to give the referee a choice to make.  this is the kind of tackle the irb are trying to get rid of so it doesn't surprise me that the referee took a hard line approach.  there's no point in blaming the ref, players have to take responsibility for their own actions - a cool head will help win a match and warburton didn't show that

[Dinny Breen]

There were already citings and bans given for similar tackles. He lifted him, rotated him and then dropped him on his head right in front of the ref. By the letter of the law a red card period, there was no other option for Rolland he would have be crucified if didn't issue the red.

Warburton is an idiot.

[king of leon]

It was illegal, he turned him in the air and dropped him on his head ffs. Wreckless irresponsibility and stupidity. The ref had no choice.

Perhaps reckless, but he seemed to catch him flush in the tackle, don't think it was malicious though.. Typical France always seem to get the rub of the green!!

Looked like clerc jumped into the tackle which didn't help warburton

Yeah it would have been different if he had dumped him, but he seemed to hold back when he realised the position of Clercs body.. Wales are battling gamely but you would expect France to find gaps as the game opens up.

[Minder]

It was illegal, he turned him in the air and dropped him on his head ffs. Wreckless irresponsibility and stupidity. The ref had no choice.

I didn't think it was that much different to the Umaga?? "spear" tackle on O'Driscoll a few years ago that everyone was, rightly, up in arms about.

Welsh guy in commentary didn't even think it was a yellow card.

[Denn Forever]

If it had been done to Brian O'Driscoll, would a red have been fair? 

This has f**ked up the game but if Wales could do it, will Warburton get back?

[ardtole]

It was illegal, he turned him in the air and dropped him on his head ffs. Wreckless irresponsibility and stupidity. The ref had no choice.

I didn't think it was that much different to the Umaga?? "spear" tackle on O'Driscoll a few years ago that everyone was, rightly, up in arms about.

Welsh guy in commentary didn't even think it was a yellow card.

Thats bullshit minder. There were 2 kiwis involved in the bod incident. they lifted him up and drove him into the ground like a golf tee. I would think it was premeditated and deliberate. Warburton didnt use any downward pressure, a bit reckless but I felt he held back at the end

[Dinny Breen]

If it had been done to Brian O'Driscoll, would a red have been fair? 

This has f**ked up the game but if Wales could do it, will Warburton get back?

No a Tongan got a 5 week ban for a similar tackle expect the same ban.

[Archie Mitchell]

I thought rugby fans didn't boo the kickers when kicking for goal?

[Capt Pat]

Hooks goal kicking has been desperate.

[trileacman]

Welsh commentator on Itv thinks that red was the greatest crime since the holocaust. Everyone on itv says its just a penalty.

[Capt Pat]

I can go as far as to agree with a yellow card as long as a ref is consistent about those sort of things. But it was never a red and the only thing to say in Rollands favour is he only had one chance to see it at high speed.

[mayogodhelpus@gmail.com]

Welsh commentator on Itv thinks that red was the greatest crime since the holocaust. Everyone on itv says its just a penalty.

Piienar was fierce annoyed alright.

[Craigyhill Terror]

How the hell is this being defended? It was a clear red - the ones on ITV going on about "letting him go"? He let him go after, as Dinny said, lifting him and turning so that the only place he could land was on his head

[mayogodhelpus@gmail.com]

From BBC Sport

"Well, how much drama can you take? It was bad enough for Wales when world class prop Adam Jones went off injured so early in the game, but to have captain Warburton red carded was an absolute disaster. was it the right call? Here's what the IRB says: "Law 10 Foul Play: (j) Lifting a player from the ground and dropping or driving that player into the ground whilst that player's feet are still off the ground such that the player's head and/or upper body come into contact with the ground is dangerous play. Sanction: Penalty kick." There was a clarification in 2009. "The IRFU has requested a ruling with regard Law 10-Foul Play. Current Law prohibits the tackling of a player who is in the air, either in the line out or in open play. The Law is designed to protect players, and to prevent them landing on the ground, on their heads or upper body.
It appears a serious anomaly, therefore, that a player(s) can deliberately lift an opponent off his feet and then may drop (or 'spear') the opponent so that he lands head down or on his upper body.

1. 10 4(e) Foul Play -Dangerous tackling. Does the action of deliberately lifting an opponent off his feet in a tackle so that he may then be dropped (or 'speared') so that he lands on his head or upper body constitute tackling 'dangerously' as defined in this Law.

2. Law 10 -Foul Play. Does the action described in 1 by definition contrary to the letter and spirit of the laws and constitutes, per se, an act of foul play should it occur in general play; e.g. a player, on the fringes of ruck or maul, so lifted.

Ruling of the Designated Members of the Rugby Committee

1. The act of lifting an opponent off his feet in a tackle AND dropping or 'spearing' that player so that his head and/or upper body comes into contact with the ground first, is a dangerous tackle.

2. The dangerous play described in 1. above is considered dangerous play no matter where it occurs in the game."

"

[Groucho]

"Horse manure" indeed George