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Mon 4 Jul 2016 | 04:49
Zee Ngwenya knocks out Leonardo Sarto and himself with brutal headclash 'tackle'

13
Comments

In a recent tour match in San Jose we saw this horrific headclash just three minutes into the contest. The USA's Zee Ngwenya flew into Italy's Leonardo Sarto, knocking them both out instantly.

Play was held up for quite some time as they both received treatment in what was one of the uglist knockouts seen on a rugby field.

Ngwenya, a seasoned professional after many years in France, went in way too high, resulting in what was effectively a headbutt at speed. Both players were out before they hit the turf.

Italy won the match 24-20.

Sarto recently signed for Glasgow Warriors on a two year contract, moving from Zebre, while Ngwenya left Biarittz a while back and now plays for San Diego in the new Pro Rugby USA. He showed how quick he still is by scoring a great try a few weeks back.

View more of Ngwenya at his best in the Related Posts

video credit: rugbyxv

Posted By: Grant Constable

13 Comments

  • drg
    10:04 AM 06/07/2016

    In his defence, I think he was fast asleep at the point of closing his arms.... but regardless it was an awful attempt...

  • drg
    10:03 AM 06/07/2016

    But what is the problem with Standers attack? Is it the timing? I don't think it's far off at all? The technique? Seemed fine, some players shy away so as not to get a ball to the face?

    If Stander had dived and clattered into Lambie, would we have an issue? Is it the fact that Stander made contact with Lambie full stop?

  • stroudos
    5:51 AM 06/07/2016

    Sorry DrG, but I don't agree with your view of the Stander incident. I was a bit busy around the time of that discussion on here and didn't get involved, (yeah, me, too busy to post my random ill-informed opinion on Rugbydump, now that is busy). But I was a little bit surprised when I saw the majority of comments saying he'd been harshly punished.

    So, probably not the best example to use to test CC's suggestion, which I do think is a good one in principle.

  • 10:49 PM 05/07/2016

    In Zee's defence, I've not seen him do something like this before and apparently he was practisinf this all week. Still, a dumb play

  • 10:47 PM 05/07/2016

    Your applying my suggestion too broadly, although most got it, I'll explain more thoroughly. The duty of care is on the kicking team in respects to the player who will logically receive the ball, not the entire opposition.

    In fact the principle could be applied in that the duty of care is to the vulnerable player. Lambie was vulnerable, stander had a duty of care to not take action which could compromise his vulnerability, intentional or not. Look Stander didn't mean it, but his actions were very reckless, otherwise we'd see this on every kick, a la league. He might not have meant it but it was not an accident, his actions were purposeful in that he jumped directly at lambie, not across him. What would u suggest? That players can "accidnetly" knock each other outta series and have no sanction?

  • drg
    6:02 PM 05/07/2016

    Be as fed up as you want...

    Stander jumps, hands up, ball goes past he turns and Lambie (not Le Roux as I incorrectly wrote above) runs in Standers arse moving arse..

    Charge downs don't have to involve diving at someones feet or ending up in some superman position through the air and onto the ground...

    "The act of a charge down is one where an opposition player not in possession of the ball approaches a kicker at close quarters and makes an attempt to block the kick.".... did CJ jump with his hands up whilst Lambie went to kick it? Yes he did... therefore he attempted a charge down.

    The red card was only ever because the referee bottled it and judged it on the fact that Lambie was sparked out on the floor.

  • drg
    12:43 PM 05/07/2016

    To you both, what would you say in the likes of CJ Stander? If you believe that he was attempting to charge down the ball, then he is on the receiving team and jumping for the ball... Le Roux ran into him and could have up-ended him causing significant injury....

    Of course, playing to my tune, as I think it was a ridiculous red, but I think things can and should be looked at in different light.

    I don't know if incidents should be judged on their outcome as much as the actions themselves...

  • heavyhooker
    12:38 PM 05/07/2016

    Ngwenya is a wanker. Absolutely no tackling skill was exhibited in his actions. This should have been a red card and a sanction. Totally reckless. I wonder if he is an NFL wannabe failure.

  • stroudos
    12:21 PM 05/07/2016

    Mr Content, I support that 100%. Because when you kick, you're essentially relinquishing possession; the onus should indeed be on the kicking team to contest the catch responsibly.

  • 11:49 PM 04/07/2016

    But back to this, a horrible image and terrible advert for rugby

  • 11:48 PM 04/07/2016

    Spot on though I'd still say red card on the others, especially based on the outcome. I said it before when Jamie Roberts head butted- tackled the scot in the 6 nations; the nfl outlaws head to head hits why not rugby?

    Since you've brought it up; I think a solution for the Payne situation, and any contest able kicking situation is to put the duty of care on the kicking team. A few years back a scot was red carded for upending a welsh man chasing a kick. I'd say the receiving team has rights to play the ball and the chasing team must use discretion

  • drg
    9:47 PM 04/07/2016

    See this is where I get a little lost with rugby and the current overlords of the game... Is this ok to do to someone?

    Different scenarios but: Jared Payne v Alex Goode. Goode jumps for a high ball and Payne is running eyes on ball to catch it, collision, Goode goes down on head etc, outcome "red card for Payne"...

    Cj Stander, Jumps, KO's Le Roux, red card Stander..

    So really, running face first into someone and KO'ing them, should surely just be classed as reckless if the above examples are not classed as 'accidents'.... They're either all avoidable and reckless, or they're accidents... I don't believe there is a huge amount of significant difference in recklessness, if we can indeed judge things like that...

  • reality
    8:59 PM 04/07/2016

    If World Rugby wasn't such a joke they'd ban Ngwenye for dangerous play. This isn't just an unfortunate, unavoidable accident - it's him being completely incapable of doing the basics. And if that means he's a danger for others, he shouldn't be allowed play until he learns not to be a danger.

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