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'Factually incorrect': Reds' Wilson officially warned over ref accusations

Harry Wilson of the Reds charges forward during the round 14 Super Rugby Pacific match between Highlanders and Queensland Reds at Forsyth Barr Stadium, on May 26, 2023, in Dunedin, New Zealand. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)

Queensland Reds flanker Harry Wilson has received an official “reminder” from Super Rugby Pacific for his comments blasting referee Brendon Pickerill’s handling of teammate Connor Vest’s serious neck injury.

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Vest spent two nights in a Dunedin hospital after he suffered a fractured neck when tackled during the Reds’ 35-30 loss to the Highlanders last Friday, with the visitors’ angered that no rival player was cited.

Wilson claimed Pickerill tried to “rush” Vest from the field, and his comments prompted a review of the incident by SANZAAR.

Tournament organisers issued a statement on Wednesday denying the referee’s actions were inappropriate and addressing Wilson’s comments.

“The review has found that at no stage did the match referee, Brendon Pickerill, attempt to hurry the review of the injury or the removal of the player from the field,” the statement read.

“The comments attributed to Harry Wilson of the Reds in the media are factually incorrect and whilst they may have been well intending in support of a teammate, he has been issued with a reminder that care must be taken with public comments not to impair the public confidence in the integrity of match officials.”

Super Rugby Pacific said the tackle incident was reviewed after the match by the independent citing commissioner, who found no foul play had occurred by the tacklers.

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Vest walked from the field but scans later revealed the fracture. The Reds were hopeful he would not need surgery.

The Reds claimed they previously made three unsuccessful requests for retrospective reviews of dangerous tackles on their players to SANZAAR this season and were set to meet with World Rugby to discuss their issue.

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TI 4 hours ago
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Rieko took literally years to turn from a defensive liability at 13 into a guy, who’s defensively sound as it befits the position. And it all came at the cost of him being much less of an offensive threat, than what he used to be. Proctor is a natural 13, he handles, passes, and kicks way better than Rieko ever will, he just isn’t as fast.


It’s unfair to judge Tupaea on the handful of games he’s had in 2022 before he got nearly crippled by a Wallaby lock. What could Tupaea/Proctor pairing be, if they got the same amount of chances as Jordie/Rieko?


Because no matter how you spin it, playing a player outside of his natural position is a poor asset management. No matter how talented he is, he still competes against players who had years and years of practice at the position. And if said guy is so talented that he actually CAN compete against specialists, imagine how much better still he could have been, if he had all those years to iron the toothing issues at the position. It just drives me mad.


Two things I hate in rugby union beyond description: aping after league, and playing players outside of their natural position. Especially considering, that they all admit they hate it, when they’re allowed to speak freely. Owen Farrell spent 80% of his international career at 12, saying every time when asked, that he is a 10 and prefers to play at 10. Those players are literally held at a gunpoint: play out of position, or no national jersey for you.

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