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Mon 17 Feb 2020 | 08:23
Anger as All Blacks hooker avoids card after late shot on tiny player

11
Comments

Dane Coles made his return to Super Rugby on Saturday night. The hooker seems to court his share of controversy and this was no exception. Although he came off the bench to score a try for the Hurricanes in their 38-22 victory over the Sharks, it's this challenge that garnered a lot of attention.

Coles came in low with a forearm to the head of diminutive replacement Sanele Nohamba as the latter was trying to get to his feet.

After review, referee Ben O'Keeffe said Coles had wrapped his arm around the shoulder of Nohamba. It was, therefore, only called a penalty for tackling a player on the ground.

Reactions online from Sharks fans were swift and predictable, with many seeing this as a too regular an occurrence with Coles.

Catch up on full highlights of the match below

Posted By: davidharper

11 Comments

  • fuji
    1:55 AM 19/02/2020

    As a Kiwi, I am disappointed with the over aggressive or dangerous tackles by any kiwi player.  I just hope that the coaches can crack down on these tackles when the team review's the game footage and referee's be more aggressive to make the correct call on these tackles.I don't think its just the Kiwi's that are getting the rub of the referee's (Owen Farrell to name one) but referee's and TMO's that are making incorrect calls when reviewing replays.    

  • dsteyn.dw@gmail.com
    8:57 AM 17/02/2020

    Shock and horror, another NZ player doesn't get carded. Who could've seen that coming?

    • Donnie
      9:07 AM 18/02/2020

      Those in glass houses...... https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12309591

      • dsteyn.dw@gmail.com
        10:29 AM 18/02/2020

        So because the refs are apparently biased it's okay to throw cheap shots or injure players for six weeks like Riccitelli did with that late hit on Kolisi? 

        • Donnie
          12:04 PM 18/02/2020

          No. Every team throws cheap shots, tons go unpunished, but you only throw a tantrum when it's an NZ player. That article is not to justify a cheap shot, a bit of an unfortunate leap in logic by you, that link is to point out that you are deeply unaware of your own self serving bias. Also, we all know it's a lot more than an "apparent" bias when playing in SA.

          • dsteyn.dw@gmail.com
            12:48 PM 18/02/2020

            Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight, well the season is still in its infancy. Let me know when any other country except NZ does this and only gets a penalty. I'll go back to my glass house now.

            • Donnie
              8:09 AM 20/02/2020

              Seriously, what are you on? Sio Tomkinson just received a suspension, recently so did Tanielu Tele'a, Joe Moody, Tevita Nabura, Scott Barrett, Vaea Fifita. But of course you are 100% right -  no kiwi has ever been suspended on account of the grand global rugby conspiracy. But again, what is very clear is that any team travelling to SA will be robbed blind by the SA referees.

              • dsteyn.dw@gmail.com
                7:50 AM 21/02/2020

                Thanks for admitting I'm right. 

                • Donnie
                  3:08 AM 22/02/2020

                  We'll, we can't let actual facts get in the way of our opinions now can we... up for discussion next - the earth is flat by dsteyn...

                  • dsteyn.dw@gmail.com
                    6:22 AM 24/02/2020

                    LOL, so salty 

                    • Donnie
                      10:10 PM 24/02/2020

                      More amused really...

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