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'Blatant red card': Fans react to 'baffling' decision not to send off Glen Young
By Finn Morton
Fans on Twitter have reacted to Luke Pearce’s “baffling” decision to not send off Scotland’s Glen Young after a high clean-out on Australia’s Tate McDermott.
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Flyhalf Blair Kinghorn sent the Murrayfield crowd into a frenzy just after half-time when he showcased some impressive skill to score, and they played with plenty of confidence for the next 15 minutes or so.
Kinghorn added a conversion and a penalty shortly after, and Scotland appeared to be in control of the Test when winger Duhan van der Merwe made a stunning break down the left wing.
While Bernard Foley made an impressive one-on-one tackle to stop the Scots from adding to their 15-6 lead, disaster struck for the hosts as Young attempted to clean out McDermott.
Speaking with the TMO, referee Luke Pearce agreed that Young had made contact with the scrumhalf’s head and come from distance, but downplayed the level of danger.
Scotland replacement Young was shown a yellow card as the TMO and Pearce agreed that he had made “a bicep connection to the face” rather than a shoulder.
Rugby fans on social media have questioned this decision, with some supporters comparing the incident to Brodie Retallick’s red card against Japan on Saturday.
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https://twitter.com/camintweets/status/1586507296037036032
How that wasn't a Scottish red card against McDermott is mind baffling. Doesn't matter which body part makes contact, the force is still there #SCOvAUS
— Nik Sharpe (@NikSharpe) October 29, 2022
Should be red card and serious ban for Glen Young, awful clearout, on the head, and off feet.#SCOvAUS
— Ryan (@Joe52192750) October 29, 2022
That is an ABSOLUTE BLATANT Red Card!!! PATHETIC!!! #SCOvAUS #Wallabies
— Craig M (@diminutiverowdy) October 29, 2022
Tbf it was a red card in real time based on current refereeing. Again I really do not know what the guy is supposed to do other than that… if you want rucks to stay in the game though? Kind of fine with it being a yellow tbh. Aussie comms losing their minds on my stream #SCOvAUS
— Brian Dowling (@dowlking1) October 29, 2022
That's a poor call from the Ref #SCOvAUS
— MW7 (@markwelch7) October 29, 2022
https://twitter.com/GrantH2397/status/1586413815989960704
FWIW, I thought Luke Pearce was very solid with the whistle today (aside from possibly bottling the red card for the shot on McDermott). His comms were very clear, and he didn’t rush decisions. #SCOvAUS
— Pete Oliver (@TheVoon) October 29, 2022
But the Wallabies may have gotten away with a red card worthy offence of their own, with some fans suggesting that Foley should’ve been sent off.
This is a nailed on red card. Jamie Ritchie asked for it to be checked. Pearce laughed in his face and told him they were checking the clear out because 9 had been hit in the head. How can rugby still be so amateur. #SCOvAUS pic.twitter.com/qW89GH7nOW
— Kyle Steyn no1 fan worldwide ????????? (@WeeDarcyMarryMe) October 30, 2022
Based in #URC Foley should get a red card for that tackle, head on. @WorldRugby #SCOvAUS but instead you look at only the clear out. Pathetic Luke Pearce inconsistency yet again.
— Dan Man (@Soet_Patat) October 29, 2022
As reported yesterday, former Wallaby Justin Harrison said it was an “unacceptable” decision not to send Young off for the high shot.
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Harrison, who played five Test matches against Scotland, explained that the arriving player must control their momentum when entering a breakdown.
“We hear a lot of commentary and a lot of people sitting at home saying ‘how is that attacking player supposed to move Tate McDermott away from the ball when he’s got an early position?’ What he’s supposed to do is arrest his momentum and force before the moment of impact,” Harrison told Stan Sport post-game.
“When the arriving player doesn’t do is arrest some of his momentum, correct his entry point and make sure he gets up under, scoops the arms first.
“His first point of contact is the head and that is unacceptable.”
After starting their five-game spring tour off with a tense 16-15 win over Scotland, the Wallabies face France next at Stade de France on Sunday (AEST).
Australia will then play Italy, Ireland and Wales before finishing their 2022 campaign.
