Matias Moroni went from hero to zero.
Fans watching tonight’s Autumn Nations Series between Ireland and Argentina were left divided following a call from referee Paul Williams.
Argentina’s Matias Moroni thought he had gotten Los Pumas off to a flying start with a try after just two minutes, however play was called back to review a clash of heads between Moroni and Ireland number 10 Jack Crowley.
The Argentine saw a yellow card and Ireland were awarded a penalty which led to Crowley bursting through to score the games opening try. The yellow card and subsequent off-field review that deemed the tackle not worthy of a red left many fans split in opinion.
One X user wrote: “Pathetic. No way is that anywhere near a yellow.”
Another added: “Eh how far back do you want to take things?! F**k sake. Shocking, they played way too far on.”
Another fan said: “Rugby has become a game of overreaction. A simple incident with no injury, and the drama is blown out of proportion. World Rugby please get your house in order.”
One supporter wrote: “Jack Crowley, what are you doing throwing yourself life a football player?!?! Common this is starting to creep into our beloved game more and more. By his reaction, why did he not go for HIA?”
Not all those watching felt the same with another saying: “Staggering to hear people actually believe hits like that don’t deserve a card. It’s a card all day. Crowley should’ve received a HIA. Ref should’ve done that but head contact will always end in a card. Anyone arguing against that is behind the times.”
There was further controversy in the game’s opening half when Finlay Bealham was shown a yellow for a croc roll on Joel Sclavi. After another review the decision remained and Bealham eventually returned to the pitch.
The main criticism from fans was the lack of consistency when it comes to these calls being made.
One X user wrote: “an absolute joke that this finlay bealham INTENTIONAL crocodile roll has stayed a yellow card which clearly hurt joel sclavi, yet scott cummings got a red card for being shoved off balance onto a players legs.”
One fan wrote: “Thought Bealham would have been posted to red. He got away with that.”
