Lavanini red card was a fair call but fans question Nigel Owens' consistency with England infringements

The decision to red-card Tomas Lavanini was a fair and just decision under the letter of the law but it is the non-calls against England that have left fans questioning Nigel Owens in the wake of England’s runaway 39-10 win that all but ends Argentina’s World Cup.

Referee Nigel Owens misjudged the initial high tackle on Owen Farrell, explaining to players ‘Play on, no foul play for me’ before it was reviewed by the TMO two minutes later at the next stoppage.

https://twitter.com/burdon_mike/status/1180435585598726144

Following a second look, Owens judged that a red card was necessary with no mitigating factors for the high shot.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3OuIM3AiBw/

Speaking on ITV former England coach Clive Woodward was puzzled by Owens decision to let play on following the Lavanini tackle

“Nigel Owens saw it live and said ‘it’s fine, it’s fine’. So if you haven’t got the TMO everyone would have just carried on,” he said.

“I don’t think any Argentinian can complain about that. It was a red card and a very simple decision but why didn’t Owens see it in the first place?”

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The decision to send Lavanini off in the 17th minute was always going to swing the match hugely in England’s favour with Argentina fighting on with 14-men for the majority of the match.

However, the leniency shown by Owens towards England’s own infringements brings into question whether they were given preferential treatment.

As England piled on infringements early in the match, Owens explained to captain Owen Farrell each penalty including a ‘no-arms tackle by Kyle Sinckler’ on an Argentinian player. This warranted nothing more than a warning and a penalty without a review of the tackle.

Uncharacteristically bad day at office for Nigel Owens
Missed potential leg breaker by Sinkler
Missed red card initially. Thankfully TMO awake
Clearly deliberate tackle in the air waved off as just a penalty#ENGvARG

— Micheál O Flaherty (@miguelgarcia65) October 5, 2019

England should have two yellow cards in this opening 24mins #ENGvARG

— Gordon D'Arcy (@Gordonwdarcy) October 5, 2019

Pity to see it but Nigel continues the ref issues at #RWC2019 Side expected to win getting all the decisions! 🙄 England should have 2 yellows!! Result probably the same but #SadToSee 😔 #ENGvARG #RefIssues pic.twitter.com/vnlzMlAN0Q

— Shane Byrne (@shanebyrneoffic) October 5, 2019

The second non-call came moments after Lavanini’s red with Manu Tuilagi taking out Argentinan fullback Emiliano Boffelli in the air. England were penalised but many feel this warranted a yellow card with the tackler not attempting a ‘fair challenge’ for the ball.

Disappointing from Nigel Owens. Too late and high gets a red, too early and in the air gets nothing. Ruined the game. Inconsistent tournament! @RWC2019Heineken @WorldRugby @RugbyRefereeNet @eirSport

— Daniel Hatton (@Baravore) October 5, 2019

https://twitter.com/KeepRealOk/status/1180472304867909632

On a different note 🤪

England Twitter on Nigel Owens : ❤️
Rest of the World on Nigel Owens : 🙄#Sport #RWC2019 #Argentina

— tony whelan (@Tony_Whelan) October 5, 2019

Nope. They got that wrong. It wasn't a fair challenge.

— Andy McGeady (@andymcgeady) October 5, 2019

https://twitter.com/N1482/status/1180436898503958528

Nigel Owens – ruining rugby as a spectacle since 2001. He should never be in charge of a test match ever again #rugbyworldcup2019 #ARGvENG

— Jonny Dickie (@KleenSnappa) October 5, 2019

Pity about possibly the worst performance I’ve seen from Nigel Owens. Couldn’t spot an offside if it slapped him in the face. Poor.

— Wogsy E (@WogsyEllis) October 5, 2019

Duality of criteria from Nigel Owens.
Correct red card to Tomas Lavanini but missed two yellow cards for English players. One of them to Mario Tuilagi for tackle an Argentinien that was still in the air.#rugbyworldcup2019japan #RugbyWorldCup #englandargentina #nigelowens

— Luis Sarmento (@lgs09) October 5, 2019

England coach Clive Woodward was also critical of the non-yellow on Manu Tuilagi for his tackle in the air.

“It’s a definite yellow card. No-one from England can be complaining if he’s got one. If the Argentina player comes down on his head, you’re looking at real problems,” he said on ITV.

“It doesn’t matter how far off the ground you are, if you hit him in the air it’s a card. I think we got away with that one big time.

“In the spirit of the game, if there’s already been a red card, then Manu has to go for a yellow card.”

Mario Ledesma following Argentina’s loss to England: