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The first red card of the Super Rugby season sparks heated online debate

Brodie Rettalick

The Highlanders sealed a memorable comeback win against the Chiefs in the opening game of the 2019 Super Rugby season today.

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The game had a lot of action, but the main talking point after the game has been Sio Tomkinson’s red card with 15 minutes remaining, something in which the fans are divided on.

On one hand, a lot of fans are saying that it should have been a red, given the fact that there were no arms and it was to Brodie Retallick’s head. The fans are saying that ones similar to this have been punished in the past, and in modern laws that is a fair call.
https://twitter.com/Lee3069Jones/status/1096321101234429953
https://twitter.com/BrashMark/status/1096327829619322880
https://twitter.com/sumostevenson/status/1096321168301158400
https://twitter.com/timoconnorbl/status/1096333106599116800
https://twitter.com/jtindahouse/status/1096320534529204225
https://twitter.com/jandcleaver/status/1096321064987029505
https://twitter.com/JamieShaw7/status/1096326258357501952

However, these issues are never black and white and there is always a lot of contention. A huge number of fans are saying that Retallick ducked into the tackle and caught Tomkinson out.

Some fans are claiming that it was only a yellow card, and some are even claiming that Retallick should have been punished for a head charge. This just goes to show how one incident can have such alarmingly different opinions in rugby.

These fans believe that it was a harsh call:
https://twitter.com/chivers1989/status/1096320586182262784
https://twitter.com/RugbySheep/status/1096321643993944064
https://twitter.com/Lee3069Jones/status/1096321101234429953
https://twitter.com/JDSportsMgmt/status/1096320687243812865
https://twitter.com/Scotti5h/status/1096320711793225728
https://twitter.com/Scotti5h/status/1096320711793225728
https://twitter.com/JHodge1203/status/1096321213121449984

Some fans have tried to be a bit more diplomatic about the matter, saying that it is a red to the letter of the law, but is a tough one to officiate. Meanwhile, some fans have also highlighted the inconsistencies in refereeing currently, as there are certainly players that have got away with similar or worse offences.
https://twitter.com/FindingCotton/status/1096375203817496577
https://twitter.com/jgemmell10/status/1096338309691912192
https://twitter.com/Jack_Clayton_7/status/1096365930437926912

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Nickers 27 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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