We value your privacy

We and our partners store and/or access information on a device, such as cookies and process personal data, such as unique identifiers and standard information sent by a device for personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, and audience insights, as well as to develop and improve products.

With your permission we and our partners may use precise geolocation. You may click to consent to our and our partners’ processing as described above. Please note that some processing of your personal data may not require your consent, but you have a right to object to such processing.

More Options

Mon 18 Sep 2017 | 02:46
James Haskell loses his cool with Joe Marler after water and choke incidents

18
Comments

Harlequins got the better of Wasps with a tight 24-21 win at the Ricoh Arena on Sunday, and in the first half it was Joe Marler getting the better of England teammate James Haskell, as he goaded him into a receiving a yellow card.

Marler and Haskell, teammates for the British and Irish Lions recently too, got involved in a scuffle on the floor that led to Marler spraying water in Haskell's face, which didn't help him cool down.

He explained to the referee that Marler had choked him with his scrumcap, then sprayed water in his face, but the pleas were ignored and Haskell was sin-binned for the reaction - which saw him throttling Marler briefly - while the Harlequins prop went unpunished and stayed on the park.

"He sprayed water in my face and choked me with his cap!" Haskell said.

Wasps boss Dai Young wasn't pleased with how it was handled, calling for consistency.

"What you want from referees is consistency, and I've got to be honest I thought he was consistent - he gave us nothing all game and that's all you can ask for really!

"I think if someone rips your hat off then squirts water in your face, what do you expect? I just thought it was very harsh on James Haskell.

"There comes a time when you've got to look at the guys that spark these things up, not somebody that's going to take exception to someone ripping their hat off and squirting water in their face."

"We've all watched James (Haskell) play over the years, he doesn't react to much," Young continued.

"But you could see he was pretty annoyed, and more annoyed for getting a yellow card for reacting. And by the way he didn't throw a punch, he just grabbed the guy. He's probably got better restraint than I would have had."

Post match, the Test teammates - both renowned for being jokers off the field - embraced and all seemed to have been forgiven.

credit: rugbypass/btsport/rawrugby

Posted By: Grant Constable

18 Comments

  • oliver
    12:54 PM 20/09/2017

    Jeez Dr.
    I think you have too much time on your hands. Leave that screen, step out.

    btw I said in my first post two yellows would have been my call.

  • gerrymc
    11:34 AM 20/09/2017

    But, but, he squirted water in my face, man.

  • drg
    11:13 AM 20/09/2017

    You post a link title "reprimanded not suspended" how much of a wet blanket are you if you genuinely think he should have been suspended??? I don't even think yellow cards for either, but if I enter into this pathetic politically correct rugby attitude then the most I could settle for is yellow for both... But what, someone should be suspended?

    You're allowed your opinion, but frankly you have one of the most sour grape opinions going. If Marker sneezed in a scrum I'd have my suspicions you'd be on here claiming he was trying to infect the opposition and should be banned.. purely because of his past indescretions... Yeh, sure if he headbutted or punched someone or something actually violent then I can understand it....

  • drg
    11:08 AM 20/09/2017

    So two rugby players go at each other which in the past would have probably been included in the slow motion intro to try savers rib breakers and the PC brigade on here go ape shit...

    I'm with fine disregard on this, just get on with the bloody game. Warning for both at the most and carry on with the game. So many times we see scuffles break out and players then sort of split themselves up because the game continues...

    No one threw a punch and everyone was fine...

  • oliver
    9:37 AM 20/09/2017

    we had that discussion already. You're entitled to your opinion and me as well....

  • hedderball
    10:13 PM 19/09/2017

    Certain things in life are inevitable: death, taxes and Joe Marler behaving like a complete twat.

  • drg
    7:37 PM 19/09/2017

    Oh give it a rest... "racist insults"... a world class mountain was made out of that mole hill and they typical snowflakes melted as fast as physically possible when they heard what he'd said...

  • dancarter
    3:15 PM 19/09/2017

    I don't really like the idea of reversing a penalty more than once because then it just punishes whoever committed the last offence rather than looking at who caused the issue and was most at fault.

  • dancarter
    3:13 PM 19/09/2017

    Nobody comes off well here. I would have given Quins the penalty and left it at that. I think stopping at a penalty ends the problem there and then. Haskell shouldn't bite and he does restart the scrap after it has stopped but I don't like Marler getting away with such deliberate provocation though. I'd definitely take issue with someone if they ripped my scrum cap off.

  • jimmy23
    2:28 PM 19/09/2017

    Surely you mean..


    Hask-lelle?

  • oliver
    1:22 PM 19/09/2017

    well Marler escaped punishment as usual.
    https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/sep/18/joe-marler-james-haskell-fight-suspended

    Probably because of his good record (racist insults, kicking players in the head and son on)

    Now that being said, Haskell lost it. Two yellows would have been my call.

  • drg
    12:58 PM 19/09/2017

    Le Haskell..

  • colombes
    10:23 AM 19/09/2017

    Haskell behaving like a french player in the 90's here.
    Both players should have received yellow cards. Move on.

  • peetwindhoek
    7:28 AM 19/09/2017

    Hmmm, Marler is in the wrong here

  • rememberthemer
    12:17 AM 19/09/2017

    If you can drag a 120kg man around by his scrum cap, then you are holding it tight. If a 120 kg ox like Haskell can't pull his head out of your grip, then you are holding it tight.

  • finedisregard
    12:15 AM 19/09/2017

    Just let them play. No big deal.

  • im1
    5:35 PM 18/09/2017

    Did Marler really get hold of Haskell's scrum cap that tightly until Haskell reactd though? I think Marler just gave it a little tug and then Haskell flipped his lid.

    I'd say;

    1. Marler's inital grab of the hat was pretty innocuous but if seen by the ref should have been a penalty to Wasps. If Marler had grabbed it aggressively and pulled Haskell around then def a yellow.
    2. Haskell's judo throw woudl reverse the penalty.
    3. Marler's water splashing shoudl reverse the penalty again
    4. Haskell's choke hold would reverse the penalty once more - and i think that is a yellow as well.

    Lesson to be learned - If someone does something pretty petty to you don't react in the heat of the moment. If you have the chance to bring it to the attention of the ref then do (in a polite way). Perhaps inform you captain of it and then he can deal with appropriately. If not, line the offender up later in the game and smash them within the laws of the game.

  • pdg
    4:45 PM 18/09/2017

    TMO has failed in his duty to review the situation correctly. Scuffles like this dont happen without reason and the grabbing of a scrum cap in any situation should be an automatic yellow card. This action cuts of the air supply to the player because of the tightness of the velcro straps. Marlers action in squirting water is a deliberate act to exacerbate the situation to get a reaction. Retrospective action is needed by the RFU to review the situation and penalise Marler for his participation in the incident.

Related Articles