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Campese takes issue with Danny Cipriani tweet about Owen Farrell
By Liam Heagney
Legendary Wallabies winger David Campese has taken issue with a tweet from Danny Cipriani, the ex-England international, in support of the red-carded Owen Farrell. Current England skipper Farrell was red-carded in last Saturday’s Summer Nations Series clash with Wales at Twickenham and his sending-off has since been hotly debated on social media.
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Cipriani weighed in on the controversy when he tweeted: “Good morning. It is clear that Owen’s tackle is a red card. I do not understand the emotional intensity behind the reaction to it. He doesn’t set out to hit people high. So critique the technique or poor timing, but why does rugby/sport always turn personal?”
This message prompted a reply from Campese, which read: “Hi mate. Because he does it over and over again. You must learn in life. Simple.”
Farrell, who was initially only yellow carded before having his shoulder-to-head tackle on Taine Basham upgraded to red via the TMO bunker, is facing a video conference disciplinary hearing on Tuesday where his case will be heard by Adam Casselden (chair, Australia) and former Wallabies duo John Langford and David Croft.
Having received a four-match ban only last January for a similar offence that had a six-week sanction entry point before mitigation was applied (this suspension was ultimately cut to three with Farrell completing the World Rugby coaching intervention programme), the potential exists for Steve Borthwick’s skipper to now receive a six-match ban with no mitigation.
Hi mate. Because he does it over and over again. You must learn in life. Simple
— David Campese (@Davidcampese11) August 14, 2023
That would sideline him from England’s remaining two Summer Nations Series games versus Ireland and Fiji and also make him unavailable for his country’s entire four-game pool campaign against Argentina, Japan, Chile and Samoa.
A heavy price has already been paid for England’s win last Saturday as the ankle injury picked up by Jack van Poortvliet resulted in him giving up his place in the World Cup squad to Alex Mitchell, the scrum-half jettisoned by Borthwick at the end of June.
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I remember DC being banned for 3 weeks (I think) when the opposition player literally ran straight at him. Much less serious than Farrells hit
They have over-turned the red card. What a total disgrace and a sign of corruption in the game. I just watched the replay again to see if I missed something but it's clearly a shoulder hit to the head and arguably intentional. What a sad day, Ta'avoa was red carded for accidentally running into someone last year Abs vs Ireland, yet this kind of malice is ignored. Unreal.
Turns out Campo was wrong. If you're Owen Farrell, there is no need to learn
David Campese chips in on tackling debate 🤣 Master of the judo throw tackle, he never put his shoulder into a tackle in his life. Terrible defender, not just in the positional sense, the guy was actually scared of tackling. Great attacking player.
Timing, Danny? You mean he should do things like that after the final whistle?
Ha. The old wog Campese still can't resist chiming in on any England story.
Campese's still got sour grapes from single-handedly losing the 1989 Lions / Oz series! Perhaps he shouldn't have gone so high with his brainless pass! Come on Ieuan!
@ DR, i agree with you that him being picked on personally isnt fair and that it should be purely measured on the professionalism aspect. FACT is, Farrel tackels high, over and over AND OVER again and yes he needs to be punished severely for this. what makes matters worse is, these high tackles ALWAYS occurs when England is in shyte/losing and he tries to take out key play makers. this for me is absolute horse crap.
How many more 2nd chances does he want or deserve?
so YES, punish Farrel, punish him hard and ban him from international rugby for life.
Cipriani has made an important point. Farrell has become the fall guy for a series of careless tackles over what has otherwise been a long and distinguished career. Let him be accountable for these indiscretions where veritable but let's not become so sanctimonious as to pretend that he is rugby's inveterate, unfit to captain England or some kind of dullard who doesn't learn how to tackle. Farrell holds the third highest points tally in test history and he plays a spirited and assertive brand of rugby. Sometimes he gets it wrong. Sometimes he plays on the fringe. Sometimes the officials are seemingly jumping at his shadow. Should we mention other big names going around who also need to give account for their on field transgressions yet seem to escape even cursory scrutiny? Shall we pull apart the other head clash that took place in the Welsh match that barely rated a mention? Presumably we shouldn't, especially when we have a patsy in a white jersey to lay into.
I imagine Farrells QC will be taking the very best Harvey nicks chocky biscuits with him to the hearing this morning !!