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'I'm a grown ass man' - Fans question why Billy Vunipola wasn't sent off for dissenting spray at Wayne Barnes

(Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

Exeter took revenge on arch-rivals Saracens in their first meeting since the salary-cap scandal broke but their 14-7 Gallagher Premiership victory was marred by a late red card for Harry Williams as tempers flared at Sandy Park.

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In an intense defensive battle, the match reached boiling point in the 77th minute when a ferocious brawl broke out on the sideline which saw prop Harry Williams red-carded for joining the scuffle from the bench.

Whilst trying to settle the situation, Saracens’ Number 8 Billy Vunipola had to be dragged away by teammates from referee Wayne Barnes, who issued multiple ‘last chance’ warnings to the England international for backchat.

Vunipola was lucky to not be given his marching orders by the experienced Barnes, with many online viewing his behaviour as deserving of a yellow card.

https://twitter.com/alexhBS3/status/1211330576965349384

https://twitter.com/Jbeardmore/status/1211328419423756288

https://twitter.com/brendanhurley/status/1211328162178764800

https://twitter.com/_Joey_Harvey_/status/1211332638784528386

https://twitter.com/threeredkings/status/1211328600831647745

Vunipola’s display of defiance marred what was an impressive performance for the Saracens’ forward who carried hard and made a truckload of tackles.

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For Exeter, the win avenged a Premiership final defeat last year and furthered their cause this season to claim a title after losing three finals in four years to Saracens. Two of those three defeats were deemed to be made when Saracens were not compliant with the salary cap.

Despite being docked 35 competition points, Saracens have still been one of the best sides in the Premiership with five wins from their opening six matches. Before Sunday’s match, they held a better record than table-toppers Exeter but now both sides are 5-2 despite being at opposite ends of the ladder.

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M
MA 3 hours ago
How the four-team format will help the Wallabies defeat the Lions

In regards to Mack Hansen, Tuipoloto and others who talent wasnt 'seen'..

If we look at acting, soccer and cricket as examples, Hugh Jackman, the Heminsworths in acting; Keith Urban in Nashville, Mike Hussey and various cricketers who played in UK and made the Australian team; and many soccer players playing overseas.


My opinion is that perhaps the ' 'potential' or latent talent is there, but it's just below the surface.


ANd that decision, as made by Tane Edmed, Noah, Will Skelton to go overseas is the catalyst to activate the latent and bring it to the surface.


Based on my personal experience of leaving Oz and spending 14 months o/s, I was fully away from home and all usual support systems and past memories that reminded me of the past.


Ooverseas, they weren't there. I had t o survive, I could invent myself as who I wanted, and there was no one to blame but me.


It bought me alive, focused my efforts towards what I wanted and people largely accepted me for who I was and how I turned up.


So my suggestion is to make overseas scholarships for younger players and older too so they can benefit from the value offered by overseas coaching acumen, established systems, higher intensity competition which like the pressure that turns coal into diamonds, can produce more Skeltons, Arnold's, Kellaways and the like.


After the Lion's tour say, create 20 x $10,000 scholarships for players to travel and play overseas.


Set up a HECS style arrangement if necessary to recycle these funds ongoingly.


Ooverseas travel, like parenthood or difficult life situations brings out people's physical and emotional strengths in my own experiences, let's use it in rugby.

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