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'Why aren't we checking that?': High tackle controversy surfaces Iess than 24 hours after Damian McKenzie red card

(Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Damian McKenzie was sent from the field in the Chiefs’ shock loss to the Reds on Saturday night and just one day later, many are questioning why a similar punishment wasn’t dished out to Rebels captain Matt To’omua in his side’s clash with the Highlanders in Sydney.

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McKenzie was handed a red card early in the second quarter of the Chiefs’ loss after the diminutive utility back was ruled to have made a dangerous tackle on Reds halfback Tate McDermott.

In the lead-up to the Reds’ second try of the night, McDermott scampered across the field before releasing midfielder Isaac Henry into a gap for an easy run to the line.

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McKenzie, shadowing McDermott across the field, was seemingly caught flatfooted and his tackle on McDermott connected with the halfback’s head. After a quick review, McKenzie was sent off and the Reds went on to score a further three tries with the extra man advantage.

Some, including Stan panellists Will Genia and Michael Cheika, weren’t overly happy with the red but acknowledged that under the current laws, the right decision was probably made.

Less than 24 hours later, however, fans were left asking where the refereeing consistency was, with Matt To’omua penalised for making a high tackle on Highlanders centre Michael Collins.

Collins, in the wide channels, was angling towards the corner post and To’omua came across the field to cut down Collins’ run. In trying to stop the Wales-bound midfielder, To’omua stuck his arm out and collected Collins on the side of the head – with referee Paul Williams granting the Highlanders a penalty advantage.

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That was to be the extent of the punishment, however, will the tackle not further assessed by the refereeing team – despite it being a clear high shot with no mitigating circumstances.

Unsurprisingly, given the red card dished out last night, fans were confused as to why the dangerous tackle wasn’t reviewed by the referee.

Some overzealous critics thought the tackle was worthy of a red card while others thought a yellow would have been appropriate. Regardless of what punishment would have been fit for purpose, the fact that the tackle wasn’t even reviewed left many frustrated.

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https://twitter.com/GrantNz76/status/1398870280777306114

https://twitter.com/BigWill_Rugby/status/1398870570226176008

https://twitter.com/KayJayHarpur/status/1398870517231210497

https://twitter.com/MacGman3/status/1398869607784468482

https://twitter.com/MacGman3/status/1398870236573487108

While the Highlanders marched out to a 14-nil lead early in the match, the Rebels came back late in the first stanza, bringing the score to 14-12 at halftime.

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RedWarrior 1 hour ago
Three-way race to be number one in World Rugby men's rankings

IF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.


As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.


Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).

This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.

If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.

Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.

After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.

Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.


Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)

Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.

Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.


Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.


Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:


Seeding Band 1

IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG

Seeding Band 2

SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: FIJI

1/8 final opponent GEORGIA

Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA

1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND

Prognosis: You know the prognosis


I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?


Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.

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