'Disgusting' - Anger as Darcy Swain escapes red for 'woeful' clearout

Wallabies lock Darcy Swain can consider himself very to lucky to avoid a red card for a brutal clearout in the first Bledisloe Test in Melbourne – that’s according to many on social media.

Swain was shown a yellow card by referee Matthieu Raynal after TMO Ben Whitehouse picked him up for targeting the leg of All Blacks centre Quinn Quinn Tupaea at a ruck near the Wallabies try line. The All Black was left screaming in pain after his knee looked to be hyper-extended laterally by the hit.

Swain – who was red carded during the July tour with England for an attempted headbutt on England’s Jonny Hill – was sent to the sin bin, while Tapaea hobbled off with the help of medical staff in clear discomfort.

Darcy Swain gets a ? for 'targetting the lower limb' of Quinn Tupaea.

Expect a citing on this one ? #AUSvNZ | #RugbyChampionship #Bledisloe | Credit: @StanSportRugby https://t.co/3E1qhDC0mo

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 15, 2022

The anger was palpable on Twitter. Former Scotland lock Jim Hamilton wrote: “I don’t normally post shit like this but this young lad needs to check himself.”

I don’t normally post shit like this but this young lad needs to check himself.

https://t.co/d7o4w1nLmp

— Jim Hamilton (Vice Captain) (@jimhamilton4) September 15, 2022

Former England flyhalf Andy Goode wrote: “Here’s the woeful clearout from Darcy Swain targeting the knee/lower leg of Quinn Tupaea. Shocking and a red card all day long” and applauded TMO Ben Whitehouse for spotting it; “Great call from Ben Whitehouse the TMO on calling out the clear out by Darcy Swain targeting the leg/knee of Quinn Tupaea who’s now hobbled off injured. Should have been a red card not a yellow though”.

Here’s the woeful clearout from Darcy Swain targeting the knee/lower leg of Quinn Tupaea. Shocking and a red card all day long #AusvNZ https://t.co/8dbNbBmLc4

— Andy Goode (@AndyGoode10) September 15, 2022

New Zealand journalist Mark Stafford wrote: “If either political party has a policy to crack down on Darcy Swain they’ve got my vote.”

If either political party has a policy to crack down on Darcy Swain they’ve got my vote. #AusvNZ

— Mark Stafford (@stafnz) September 15, 2022

“A yellow card is not a suitable punishment for what Darcy Swain did there,” wrote one fan. “Blatant targetting of a players knee leading to an injury. Should be a red card followed by a lengthy suspension.”

A yellow card is not a suitable punishment for what Darcy Swain did there. Blatant targetting of a players knee leading to an injury. Should be a red card followed by a lengthy suspension. #AUSvNZL

— Jordan Patu (@Jordan_Patu) September 15, 2022

Another fan ironically noted the seeming inequity of rugby union’s card system: “Darcy Swain gets a yellow card for deliberate targeting Quinn Tupaea’s knee (possibly ruining his ACL) – the same punishment you get for an unsuccessful intercept.”

Darcy Swain gets a yellow card for deliberate targeting Quinn Tupaea’s knee (possibly ruining his ACL) – the same punishment you get for an unsuccessful intercept.

— Phillip Rollo (@ByPhillipRollo) September 15, 2022

Quinn Tupaea clearly devastated as he hobbles off after a dangerous clearout #AUSvNZL pic.twitter.com/IXfEfjX9Eg

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 15, 2022

Another angry Tweeter wrote: “Accidental head clash: red. Fine, I can accept that. Darcy Swain tries to end a man’s season and potentially his career: take ten minutes in the bin, son.”

Accidental head clash: red. Fine, I can accept that. Darcy Swain tries to end a man's season and potentially his career: take ten minutes in the bin, son.

— Darrel Bristow-Bovey (@dbbovey) September 15, 2022

While it was only a yellow card, it is highly likely that Swain will be cited and banned for the reckless challenge.