He likes it, tell him more.
There is a growing school of thought in rugby that too many red cards are being flashed.
A red card used to be a rarity – only shown in the most extreme circumstances. That included massive dust-ups, boxing matches and cynical, dangerous tackles.
In an effort to make the game safer, more and more yellow and red cards have been shown. Many former pros now look at the game they once played and hardly recognise it any more.
During Sunday’s Premiership clash between Leicester Tigers and Wasps, Will Spence was given his marching orders for this lefty hit on hooker Tommy Taylor. Former Wales and Lions star Tom Shanklin was not one bit impressed with the call.
https://twitter.com/TomShanklin/status/1041339001209348097
Neither was Mark Cueto, who helped England to a World Cup triumph in 2003, was in full agreement with Shanklin.
Never a red card… what’s happening to the game!!! Ref has to use some common sense as well as going by the laws!! @premrugby
— Mark Cueto (@Mark_Cueto) September 16, 2018
Freddie Burns flicked over to the match after watching his brother, Billy, help Ulster to a win over Southern Kings in the Guinness PRO14.
After seeing Spence sent for an early bath, he mused if anything could be done to keep players safe but not completely spoil games.
Not blaming the referees and I know it’s being done to protect us players but can we go back to red cards only being issued for deliberate acts of bad foul play/ violence not unfortunate incidents that happen as a result of playing a contact sport? It’s ruining the game. #rugby
— Freddie Burns (@FreddieBurns) September 16, 2018
One fan let the Bath and England outhalf know about Gaelic football’s practice of players being shown black cards for deliberate and cynical fouls.
Gaelic games has black cards for offences like that. Serious, but not deliberate. Player has to leave field for rest of game but can be substituted. No way was that a deliberate attack to the head. https://t.co/8re7I6B80l
— Kevin Mort 🇺🇳🇮🇲🇺🇦💚🏴✝️ (@KEVINMORT) September 16, 2018
Burns had never heard of this before but clearly likes the idea.
It would see offending players leaving the field of play as a punishment but being replaced by a reserve player.
In fairness, I’ve heard worse ideas. I quite like it https://t.co/0WNTFyXwPM
— Freddie Burns (@FreddieBurns) September 16, 2018
Something for rugby officials to consider but, it must be noted, many GAA players and fans are not fans of the black card rule at all.
As for the game itself, Wasps were indebted to their man advantage as they beat Geordan Murphy’s Leicester 41-35 to stay in touch with leaders Exeter and Saracens.
