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Billy Vunipola on the brink as Montpellier finally lose patience
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Slap on the wrist ban for brutal incident caught on camera
By Sam Smith
In a shocking incident caught on camera, a rugby player has been filmed kneeing and kicking another player in the face during a ruck in an unnamed fixture.
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The reckless actions of the number 26 player have sparked widespread condemnation and calls for disciplinary action online.
The incident occurred during a routine ruck, with the attacking team protecting the ball. But things took a violent turn when the number 26 player came through first with a knee, before following through with a kick to the face of an opposing player.
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The safety of the game has been a hot topic in recent years, and incidents like this only serve to further fuel the debate. The player who was on the receiving end of the kick shared the video on Reddit and spoke out against the violent behaviour, calling for action to be taken against the perpetrator.
“I’m the guy who got his lights knocked out. 2 weeks of concussive symptoms, and two months into rehab for my left MCL and I find out this is only worthy of a one match ban.”
“You could argue that the first impact was unintentional. But I would argue that he intentionally did not hold back. Anyone here who’s played rugby for a number of years can see that he was in no position to contest the ruck. I’d like to think most of us would’ve just held back from crashing in knees first into a ruck.
“I don’t have much else to say about the follow-through. Needless to say there was no card given during the match.”
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“Given the recent bans/cards given out at an alarming rate, for clear-outs less dangerous than this. I found it absolutely ridiculous for it to be a one match ban.”
“It’s probably my fourth or fifth concussion over 15 years of playing. And I’m seriously considering walking away from the sport I love so much. Being side-lined for over two months being unable to exercise has really taken its toll. Now that I’m a new father as well, maybe I need to stop putting myself in risky situations…”
