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Wed 25 Nov 2015 | 02:46
Commentators unhappy after Billy Vunipola is sinbinned for 'shoulder charge'

10
Comments

Saracens number eight Billy Vunipola was sent to the sinbin for this alleged no-arms tackle against Ulster in the European Champions Cup. Referee Romain Poite felt that there was no use of the arms, but Vunipola and the commentary team disagreed, clearly bemused.

Vunipola slid up but what made it look worse was that Ian Henderson stepped at the last minute, so Vunipola appeared to adjust but left his right arm at his side.

"Clearly he didn't use his arms, and then with the shoulder, that is a yellow card," said Poite.

"That is a terrible decision," reacted commentator Austin Healey, who later added that perhaps they should play tag rugby rather.

What is your take on it? Let us know in the comments

Posted By: Grant Constable

10 Comments

  • stroudos
    10:49 AM 27/11/2015

    Agree. These are probably the same people who would sing Swing Low at a Samoa v Scotland game.

  • mozz87
    11:26 PM 26/11/2015

    Garbage call. Also, personally, I'm getting sick and tired of crowd overreactions to these replays, if the replay had show him making a textbook tackle around the knees some crowds would shout outrage and start chanting "off off off". I mean, support your team but have a bit of class about it...

  • guy
    10:30 PM 26/11/2015

    Have to agree with you for 100%.

  • drg
    4:41 PM 26/11/2015

    Good point, I've actually got to say Vunipola was a great example for youngsters. He didn't agree clearly, but he accepted it and walked straight off with no (or minimal) arguing.

  • colombes
    2:59 PM 26/11/2015

    Vunipola shoulder charge was just clumsy and the direct consequence of Ian Henderson very good stop and step. A penalty could have been sufficient.

    Austin Healey comment? I remember him excusing 'live on tv' a blatant eye-gouge by Cueto 4 years ago. I think it pretty summarizes his mentality

  • guy
    12:45 PM 26/11/2015

    Agree with TSNT: 6 swung out of the tackle. I guess Billy attempted to wrap 6 but did not succeed. So I don't agree with the Ref saying 'clearly not using his arms' or something along that line.

    However...

    The thing that really annoys the crap out of me is the complete lack of respect for the referee's decision by at least one of the commentators.

  • stroudos
    9:26 AM 26/11/2015

    Ha! Yes it was a pretty half-arsed attempt wasn't it. Although I got the impression he pulled out a bit because of that elbow swinging around at face height, (which of course he could have avoided by smashing the bloke at hip height).

  • 10stonenumber10
    12:13 AM 26/11/2015

    ...I don't see why this is a card.

    When you run at a player, you step and go for the inside weak shoulder. Henderson did his job right, deflected the hit, and made Vunipola line up thin air... and look like a bit of a turnip.

    THIS IS HOW YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO PLAY RUGBY. If he carried on the hit as he intended, there would have been a nasty head clash caused by the stepping player.

    Austin Healey is right. Though he did back down from the challenge when I offered him a belt at the Twickenham Tag Rugby finals a few years ago. I think he was scared of our pink shirts.

  • danknapp
    10:44 PM 25/11/2015

    This was an awful tackle by Vunipola.

    No, I mean it, an awful tackle. He should have demolished the guy, instead he was basically bumped off. I don't understand why he didn't get his arms around him and bring him to the floor. He deserves a yellow card for a pathetic attempt at a tackle. He looked like a full-back whose heart wasn't in it. I'm not entirely sure what he was trying to do there.

  • drg
    9:31 PM 25/11/2015

    Totally fine to card him... along the same lines, I hope RD will hurry up with the next article regarding a citing for the Ulsterman who elbowed Vunipola as he went into the tackle... I expect the Ulsterman to get a ten billion year ban as a result....

    To be honest, Poite has a his good moments, but he also has his pitifully bad moments (which come more often?)...pretty poor call, but it's what I've learnt to expect these days...

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