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'Don't talk to us about player safety': Manu Tuilagi's Top 14 debut controversy
By Ben Smith
England international Manu Tuilagi’s debut for Bayonne in the Top 14 has caused a stir after a shot on La Rochelle’s Gregory Alldritt caused the loose forward to have a go at the ref officials.
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The 33-year-old England centre made his delayed debut for new club and a fast start had Bayonne up 20-0 early. In the 29th minute Tuilagi crossed paths with Alldritt, launching into the loose forward.
The French international was not happy with the tackle and asked the officials to review what appeared to be head-on-head contact, however the response from referee was not what Alldritt wanted to hear.
Referee Luc Ramos told his TMO that “the player is complaining” about the tackle, before responding to Alldritt that “the tackle is legal, it’s your head that tilts forward.”
“It’s not legal. Don’t talk to us about player safety anymore,” Alldritt responded.
🎙️ "C'est un plaquage pour faire mal"
L'avis de Richard Dourthe à propos du plaquage de Tuilagi sur Alldritt 💥 pic.twitter.com/vvZHY17e5X
— CANAL+ Rugby (@CanalplusRugby) October 12, 2024
Bayonne went on to win comfortably by 37-7 over the two-time European champions however if the tackle had been judged differently, it could have been a contest.
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Controversy? Shouldn't be any. Tuilagi's head is probably at the same height as his waist, how low a player is expected to tackle... For the record, I've never been a fan of Tuilagi while Alldritt is amongst my favourite France players.
That’s why you have 20 minute red cards. Different ref on a different day facing different crowd and occasion pressure might have given that a card.
While I don't particularly like Tuilagi there was absolutely nothing wrong with his tackle. Just another whinging Frenchman!
Spot on from Ramos, Alldrit dips massively going into contact and it’s on him!
I think that ls a reasonable call.
I wonder if world rugby will add “having a big head” to mitigation?
Tuilagi obviously goes low but Alldritt’s big head gets in the way.