The decision was branded “very harsh” by former Ireland Women’s captain Niamh Briggs.
It was a tale of two high tackles in Ireland’s World Rugby U20 Championship encounter with Australia in Santa Fe.
Ireland were looking to follow-up their opening match victory over England against the Junior Wallabies, but an early red card put them in a big hole.
The Aussies took a 3-0 lead after only five minutes when outhalf Will Harrison dinked over a penalty. It was a riveting, fast-paced start but there was a long pause when Munster back-row John Hodnett was tackled around the head by Semisi Tupou.
YELLOW CARD:
15 mins:
Australia U20s 3-0 Ireland U20s
Australia's Semsi Tupou is sent to the sin-bin for a high a tackle on Josh Hodnett.#FutureIsGreen #WorldRugbyU20s pic.twitter.com/7npr80mGkD
— eir Sport (@eirSport) June 8, 2019
The Australian centre was given the benefit of the doubt as Hodnett was deemed to have dipped into the tackle and the force of the hit was only ‘medium’.
Just over five minutes later and another card was flashed. This time it was in Ireland’s direction and, unfortunately for them, it was red.
Lock Ryan Baird darted out of the defensive line with his sights set on Harrison. When the Aussie 10 juggled the ball, he planted his feet and was left open to a hit.
Baird should have dipped lower in his tackle and the fact that he connected with Harrison’s head meant he left himself open to slow-motion replays. Match officials decided there was ‘a high level of force and danger’.
“I’ve no choice but to give a red card,” stated the match referee and Baird was sent marching.
RED CARD:
20 mins:
Australia U20s 3-0 Ireland U20s
Ireland second orow Ryan Baird is sent off for a neck-high tackle on Australia fly-half Will Harrison.#FutureIsGreen #WorldRugbyU20s pic.twitter.com/611H0lAINY
— eir Sport (@eirSport) June 8, 2019
These new high tackle laws are being trialled and enforced by World Rugby at these championships and could soon take hold in the senior game.
Ireland fell 10-0 behind before Munster scrum-half Craig Casey sniped brilliantly off the back of a seven-man Irish scrum to score. Jake Flannery’s conversion made it 10-7.
Flannery was then so, so fortunate not to see red when he cleared out Angus Bell with a dangerous tip tackle.
The ref, perhaps cognisant of his earlier red card call, just gave a penalty and Ireland were spared again when Harrison’s attempt missed.
