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Nigel Owens' previous stance may explain illegality in the Mapimpi tackle
By Sam Smith
Wallabies wing Marika Koroibete’s missile-like try-saving tackle on Makazole Mapimpi has come under the spotlight.
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The flying Fijian-born Wallaby sent Mapimpi cartwheeling over while popping the ball free in a spectacular collision late in the first half.
The tackle could have ended dangerously for Mapimpi and questions were asked over whether there was a wrap by the Australian winger.
A large portion of South African fans thought the tackle was a shoulder charge that warranted a yellow card punishment and possibly a penalty try.
Yellow card as reward for football style theatrics from Nic White, but not even a penalty for Koroibete’s no arms “try saving” tackle on Mapimpi!? World rugby is in trouble! pic.twitter.com/vsQ2WP5iOW pic.twitter.com/LDVCVbPjff
— Trevor Meaker (@TrevorMeaker) August 27, 2022
Can anyone explain rugby rules as I obviously have no clue. Koroibete’s shoulder charge on @Makazole16 not looked at even tho it should be a penalty try & yellow, but @fafdeklerk sees yellow after Nic White’s theatrics #AUSvRSA @StanSportRugby pic.twitter.com/XTn4p2zev7
— Kris Van Wellen (@KrisVanWellen) August 27, 2022
No arms shoulder charge on Mapimpi doesn’t get looked at. Nic White auditions for the Socceroos and Faf gets yellow. Laughable.
— Derek Alberts (@derekalberts1) August 27, 2022
How there wasn’t even a second look for an arm wrap on Mapimpi boggles my mind #SSRugby
— Matt Andrews (@matt_mka) August 27, 2022
Awful tackle technique. Head the wrong side… But, left arm attempts to wrap, it’s held long, not tucked into his body. Mapimpi also is off the floor (looking like an attempted NFL style TD leap) as contact occurs, which makes it look worse. https://t.co/TpY3skuEZm
— Dan Hallett (@danthedealer) August 27, 2022
On review of the tape the match officials deemed there appeared to be an attempt with the arms by Koroibete, particularly the left arm around the midriff.
Lost in the review was consideration for the Springbok winger’s influence in what became a hairy collision.
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Mapimpi appeared to launch himself airborne a split second before contact in what appeared to be an effort to leap or jump over the arriving tackler.
The Springbok planted both feet at the same time and propelled himself upward which is deemed illegal.
Well regarded former referee Nigel Owens explained his stance on this after England wing Jonny May jumped in the act of scoring against Italy in 2021.
“Diving for the line to score a try is allowed,” he explained on Twitter.
“Jumping in the air to avoid a tackle is not.
“May jumps up to avoid tackle first which is not diving for the line.”
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Koroibete should be cited, withdrawn, educated, before being allowed back on a field. Charge on Clarke is proof he's dangerous. Ridiculous play.
If what Mapimpi did was illegal why wasn't he penalised instead of an Australian scrum. Grasping at straws here.
I want to see Whistle Watch of Sir Nigel Owens speak to all the reckless and dangerous illegal hits that went unsanctioned in the match. But it is all quiet so far. Yeah. I want to understand why the Independent Reviewer did not cite Koroibete. We'll never hear the explanation. Yes indeed. THIS is the spirit of rugby that must be protected at all cost, right?
Springboks should insist that the officials take a year off from rugby to reflect on the spirit of the game and their responsibilities with regard to player safety.
Does player safety matter? We have several cases of early onset dementia because of the heavy collisions. I have some very serious concerns in that Koroibete and the Wallabies were given a licence to harm Springbok players. Vermeulen copped reckless direct hit head to head from Koroibete. Immediate red card, but no sanction. He realises that he has a licence. Next he hits Gelant direct shoulder to the head, should be a red card, but again no sanction. (Gelant left prone. No review) Then he hits Mapimpi, no arms. Mapimpi goes through 90 and lands dangerously. Should be yellow, but again no sanction. (For his efforts Koroibete gets man of the match. What a disgrace.) Later De Allende is hit direct shoulder to head, and of course no sanction. (De Allende left prone, indicating head contact, no review.) Meanwhile Kolisi blocks a player with his chest, ruled high tackle and penalty. Faf gets yellowed for stupid slap at the ball, which brushes cheek. All these events were between 2 and 5 metres from the French touch judge Tual Trainini, in clear view. Recklessly and negligently ignored. As it was ingnored by Brendon Pickerell NZR TMO and Paul Williams NZR referee. These officials deserve no less than suspensions. They made a mockery of player safety.
Bok tears? I’ll have another shot of that please
This is so bad that referee Paul Williams should be cited. A truely shocking performance by a referee that last the entire match. I've not seen dangerous play like this that had the potential to seriously injure and possibly end a players career in decades. It's clear that Paul Williams has issues with managing a high level game of rugby, his positioning wasn't even at amateur level, I would have real concerns if he was refereeing my young sons game of rugby. Really shocking stuff.
Sorry. But what video are you watching? Mapimpi steps of his left, realises the situation, then launches of his right foot. No two-footed jump, here. There is clearly no attempt to wrap. Just the usual rubbish by officials covering their backsides after the fact. Question is: can anybody watching that say that Koroibete fulfilled his “duty of care” when completing this shoulder charge/tackle thing? It was reckless, at best. Had it been Etsebeth, it would have been a card. In fact, has it been anybody in green, it would have been a card, as evidenced by the complete joke of a card against De Klerk. Cover backsides as much as you like. You know that this is rubbish.
His left arm moved a few inches away from his body during the tackle. All good he was attempting to wrap. Hahahha are you people fing serious. Its exactly the same as when we complain about forward passes and you say oh but he passed it back out of the hand