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Rugby

05th Oct 2018

Matthew Rea sent off for huge tackle on Cian Kelleher in the air

Jack O'Toole

Matthew Rea was one of the few bright spots for Ulster in an otherwise disappointing first-half for the northern province against Connacht at the Kingspan Stadium.

The Ballymena flanker carried strongly, tackled hard and won a critical turnover for the hosts when they were on the ropes right in front of their own posts, and then it all went wrong for him to start the second-half, horribly wrong.

Ulster came out of half-time looking to get back into a game that just seemed to constantly get away from them at every turn in Belfast.

However, their chances of a second-half fightback took a hammer blow within seconds of the restart after substitute utility back Cian Kelleher was caught in the air from the kick-off by a hard running Rea.

Video footage shows that Rea had his eye on the ball but referee Andy Brace deemed that the play constituted a red card.

World Rugby’s laws have multiple definitions on in air challenges.

According to law 10.4:

A fair challenge with both players in a realistic position to catch the ball, even if the player(s) land(s) dangerously, should result in play on.

A fair challenge with wrong timing – no pulling down – should result in a penalty, while a yellow card should see a fair challenge where there is no contest and the player is pulled down landing on his back or side.

A red card should see a fair challenge with no contest, whilst being a reckless or deliberate foul play action and the player lands in a dangerous position.

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