London Irish hooker Motu Matu’u has said there is a “different rule for some” after footage has emerged of a tackle made by Owen Farrell at the weekend.
Former England flyhalf Andy Goode shared a clip this week of a potential high tackle by Farrell at the weekend while playing for Saracens against Doncaster Knights.
Goode added, “Say what you see, must be different tackle laws in the Championship, no card and no citing.....”
Matu’u commented, having returned to action last weekend after serving a six week ban following a red card for a high tackle against Exeter Chiefs in February. The 22-cap Samoa international clashed heads with Ian Whitten in that match, and was sent off for making direct contact to the head with force.
Upon seeing the video shared by Goode on Twitter, Matu’u questioned how he was punished and another player was able to get away with a similar tackle.
“I don't know if we are playing the same game and follow the same rule book. Must be a different rule for some.”
Matu’u is not necessarily saying that he should not have been punished but is highlighting the inconsistency in citing and punishments in rugby. Having just finished a fairly lengthy ban, it is understandable that seeing a tackle that could be regarded as similar to his go unpunished has caused some irritation.
The fact that the tackle was made by Farrell, who by now has developed a reputation for dangerous tackles, and indeed getting away with some of them, may have irked the Samoan all the more.
Saracens won the contest 50-15, but it was a game where their Director of Rugby Mark McCall actually said that his flyhalf was subjected to a number of illegal hits, accusing Doncaster of tackling him late on a number of occasions.
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