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Mon 29 Jan 2018 | 10:16
Filthy tackle leaves Josua Tuisova seeing red

16
Comments

Certainly no stranger to the highlight reels, Toulon winger Josua Tuisova found himself on the opposite end of the spectrum this past weekend after an extremely dangerous tackle on Bordeaux-Begles's Blair Connor.

The high tackle occured in the 33rd minute of their Top 14 clash as Bordeaux looked to attack out wide with the extra man in Connor. Tuisova was having none of it and came streaking in for the diving, around-the-neck tackle.

Thankfully, Connor was able to get up and it appears he's lucky to still have both knees intact. 

To the surprise of no one, Tuisova was indeed shown a red card and his day was over. Perhaps some time away is also still a possibilty, as a disciplinary hearing with the LNR may follow.

Toulon were well in front 26-0 at the time of the incident and eventually won the match 36-12, with tries from Tuisova, Chris Ashton and two from the big tackling Semi Radradra.

Credit: Raw Rugby

Posted By: davidharper

16 Comments

  • dancarter
    1:10 PM 31/01/2018

    I don't think it's intentional either, but ultimately a reckless unintentional tackle is as dangerous as an intentionally dirty tackle.

  • drg
    11:36 AM 31/01/2018

    @Reality, to be honest your point was not wrong, good players don't automatically cancelled out bad players... And whilst I was quick to defend Botha, you're right, he's not squeaky clean, probably a thug, but then I admire Jamie 'Cuddles' Cudmore so my thugometer is probably not calibrated quite right...

    I do agree overall with everyone that Toulon's cash has bought them into success so it's a bit like their fans haven't grown with the wins and losses as much as say less rich clubs... Overnight success I suppose.

  • drg
    11:31 AM 31/01/2018

    This is what we modernists in the know like to call social progression!.*rolls eyes*

    The game has been around for many many many years, we've had alcohol being sold to the masses in the stadiums, mixed fan seating etc etc, basically most rugby matches have been one big party (from spectators pov) and 99% of the time without much trouble...and in total honesty the trouble I've seen in the likes of some of the sevens tournaments just tend to be a couple pissed up blokes having a 1v1 and that's it...end of story.. but as we 'progress' I'm not confident these hideously medieval traditions (drinking and sitting next to opposing fans) will last!

    All hail the new age of tolerance!

  • jimmy23
    9:30 AM 31/01/2018

    The other thing which annoys me is you can bet every penny you have that if it was a Toulon player on the receiving end the crowd would be calling for an execution.

    I've noticed it's a growing trend amongst all crowds to be honest. Bit of a worrying sign.

  • the_osprey
    9:15 PM 30/01/2018

    Bad result and clear red, but I wouldn't call it filthy - didn't look intentional

  • dancarter
    9:03 PM 30/01/2018

    Botha is both hard as well as a thug. I think SBW has poor tackling technique that is occasionally reckless, but I don't think he's a deliberately dirty player. I picked a few examples of good blokes at Toulon also, there are others, like Guirado, Gethin Jenkins, Gregan, JP Pietersen, Contepomi, George Smith, Gorgodze.

    I'm not a fan of the owner though. I don't like any coach that publicly berates referees.

  • reality
    11:44 AM 30/01/2018

    Maybe I'm wrong, but I thought Botha was generally regarded as hard, but also a thug. Armitage was regarded as one of the worst examples of rugby players around. Having respectable players like Wilkinson doesn't balance that. Not to mention Bastareaud, Maa Nonu, SBW. I just picked the worst offenders to simplify.

    The culture is also typified by the owner, who publicly berated referees when his team lost and, as mentioned, created a team of mercenaries to buy the Heineken Cup.

    And I don't see what's wrong with the rest of my comment. Also, 'few Toulon whistlers'? They put have really powerful whistles, because those 'few whistlers' are so loud it seems like the entire crowd is whistling.

  • colombes
    8:05 AM 30/01/2018

    I would not put botha and armitage in the same basket.

    The rest of your comment is just as poor as the few toulon whistlers.

  • dancarter
    9:05 PM 29/01/2018

    Games gone soft. You can't even decapitate your opponents anymore.

  • dancarter
    9:05 PM 29/01/2018

    Picking out Botha and D Armitage as players that typify the culture of Toulon doesn't really mean anything, considering you could just as easily list Toulon players that are class acts on and off the field (Wilkinson, Giteau, Matfield, Halfpenny...).

    Also, I agree with DrG. Botha was a dirty player but at least if he was going to punch you he'd do it from the front. Delon is the type of guy that would punch you when you weren't looking.

  • drg
    6:54 PM 29/01/2018

    Wow wow wow... Let's not put Bakkies and Felon (that actually auto corrected to Felon from Delon...seems fitting) into the same sentence..

    At least Bakkies had an excuse of being an old school second row and he didn't tend to deny his wrong doings....

  • reality
    6:44 PM 29/01/2018

    Toulon isn't exactly the most respectable club at any level. They became successful with the worst examples of sportsmen around like Delon Armitage and Bakkies Botha, they bought their way to success, so seeing that their fans are as disrespectful as this isn't really surprising.

  • drg
    4:11 PM 29/01/2018

    Looked alright to me....

  • dancarter
    2:20 PM 29/01/2018

    Tuisova's tackling technique is very poor. He must have at least 25kgs on Connor as well, he should be (legally) smashing him into touch.

  • flanker2712
    1:51 PM 29/01/2018

    I share your bafflement. It was pretty much a flying clothesline.

  • jimmy23
    12:19 PM 29/01/2018

    I'm genuinely baffled at the reaction of the crowd, how can you in anyway thing that's a harsh decision?

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