I think Frizell's foul play yellow was worse; it wasn't a neck roll (certainly not like the one that was done to Cody Taylor minutes later) and it was a pure accident that he fell onto the SA player's leg.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Agreed, the TMO even acknowledged he fell on the player's leg. It's a full contact sport, people are going to fall over. Maybe a penalty was justified, but a card is ridiculous, even if that's what the rules said.

This turned out to be pretty prophetic (unfortunately): https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/on-the-inside/501189/a-red-card-could-ruin-the-rugby-world-cup-final-the-game-needs-fairer-safer-rulings-on-the-field

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Yup, and Barnes rushed to the decision from one angle on a giant TV screen at the other end of the stadium. The subsequent angle played after he had decided it was Yellow was much less bad looking for Frizell; but he'd already decided.

Its been a whole World Cup cycle plus a couple of years now of World Rugby attempting to stamp out head high contacts by dishing out red cards; it has not worked.