The Argentina lock could have no complaints.
Tomas Lavanini may be set for a spell on the sidelines, after a red card cruncher on Cian Healy. It was a challenge that upset stand-in Ireland captain Peter O’Mahony, and the home fans.
Ireland were already coasting, mid-way through the second half, when the Argentina forward went in to clear Healy out of the breakdown. Despite the Leinster prop being pretty low over the ruck, Lavanini dived in lower and connected with the shoulder and head.
O’Mahony, who took over the captaincy, when James Ryan went off injured in the first half, gave the Argentine a right earful.
“Hard man, aren’t you?” O’Mahony declared, as replays rolled on the big screen. “That’s very unlike you.”
The Munster captain, who has been drafted in as starting blindside when Jack Conan dropped out of the starting XV,
peter o'mahony 😂 'you're a scumbag you knew exactly what you were doing, you think you're a hard man? watch yourself' #IREvARG
— leah 🇮🇪🇵🇸 (@natesdrake_) November 21, 2021
Tomas Lavanini picks up the third red card of his Test career for this reckless hit on Cian Healy#IREvARG #rterugby
📺https://t.co/CStwnXf2cB
📻https://t.co/wUq1XxhF4x
📱https://t.co/zXizaUwa8D pic.twitter.com/dfhf0i8Rt9— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) November 21, 2021
Simon Zebo weighs in on Tomas Lavanini tackle.
Sure enough, the replays did not look good. Healy was able to play on, but the referee and his TMO were in agreement that Lavanini had to walk.
One man that was watching on – surplus to requirements today – was Munster and Ireland winger Simon Zebo:
That fella always at it 🙄
Send him 🛑— Simon Zebo (@SimonZebo) November 21, 2021
Off Tomas Lavanini trudged and Argentina, already in a deep hole, conceded more ground and tries in the closing stages. Post-match, O’Mahony commented:
“Ah look, it’s heat of the moment stuff. I’ve been on the other side of that as well so it’s a split-second decision from his point of view. There isn’t much to be said about it now.”
There was a sort of poetic justice, in the closing stages, as Cian Healy got over for a late try. Ireland kept their foot to the floor over the final 20 minutes and would go on to win 53-7 against Los Pumas.
Following the game, Andy Farrell said Ireland’s final scoreline was ‘very flattering’ but he was pleased at who the squad ‘grew as a group’.
Ireland did lose Iain Henderson and Jack Conan before kick-off while Peter O’Mahony had to start blindside as Caelan Doris switched to No.8.
