Craig Casey was stretchered off the field in Loftus Stadium.
Rugby fans are divided after Ireland scrumhalf Craig Casey had to be stretchered off during Ireland’s 27-20 loss to South Africa on Saturday.
Casey was enjoying an impressive performance until the last quarter of the game when his ex-Munster teammate RG Snyman tackled him slightly after the ball left his hands and drove him hard into the turf.
The game was soon stopped for Casey to require attention, with a replay showing that Leinster new boy Snyman followed through with enough aggression for the 25-year-old’s head to hit hard against the ground.
Many think Snyman was entitled to commit to the tackle under rugby laws, but for others that’s missing the point.
Their frustration is how Snyman committed to the tackle so aggressively all the way to the ground, long after he knew the ball wasn’t in Casey’s hands.
Some also feel there is a duty of care on Snyman’s part – that the six-foot-nine giant could have been more considerate of his five-foot-five opponent’s safety.
One X user said: ‘No love lost between Munster teammates there RG Snyman puts the hammer down on Craig Casey
‘Very very physical this game, don’t think there was anything wrong with it although a little unnecessary’
Another user wrote: ‘Please. Craig Casey’s head didn’t hit the turf. He was slammed onto the turf, not in possession of the ball & not as the natural continuation of a tackle already begun.
‘Right in front of English referee Pearce. It resembled a late hit roughing the passer penalty in NFL’
In terms of unbiased opinions, a French journalist wrote: ‘Not sure Snyman needed to drive Casey all the way through like this. Horrible outcome’
Other fans posted similar opinions like: That tackle from RG on Craig Casey is an absolute joke. And to not look at it all all???? Madness.
‘Where is the duty of care to a player. It’s a clear late tackle. Embarrassing officiating.’
Or: ‘Big congrats to South Africa played well , horrible from Snyman on a former teammate, referee and TMO were shocking for both teams.’
Although Snyman didn’t reference the Casey incident in his post-match interview, we can only assume he has since checked in on his ex-teammate and meant no harm with his big hit.
It is, however, easy to see why many rugby fans saw it differently.
