Racing 92’s Anthony Tuitavake copped a straight red card in his side’s 23-19 defeat away to Agen in the Top 14 for a spear tackle on Julien Heriteau. Tuitavake will face a disciplinary hearing next week due to the sending off.
The incident happened on the brink of half-time when Racing were leading 7-3 following Brice Dulin’s 20th minute try.
Referee Pierre Brousset, having consulted his TMO, Philippe Bonhoure, had no difficulty in laying down the law and giving Tuitavake his marching orders.
The tackle was clumsy at best as Tuitavake clearly picked Heriteau up after making a solid initial contact, which left the six-time-capped All Black with nowhere to hide.
Tuitavake will be up in front of a disciplinary hearing on the 13th September to find out the exact length of his probable suspension.
Racing 92 were made to pay immediately for Tuitavake’s reckless challenge, with Ricky Janurie scoring in the final play of the half to give the hosts a 10-3 lead.
The boot of Jack McIntyre is what ultimately secured victory for Agen. McIntyre kicked two conversion and three penalties – the final one with seven minutes remaining all but confirmed the win – and was instrumental throughout.
Racing 92, who were under the cosh in the second period, despite Teddy Thomas scoring barely 60 seconds after Agen’s second – courtesy of George Tilsley – managed a late consolation through Bernard Le Roux’s final-minute try.
It was a case of what might have been for the Parisians.
This weekend’s upcoming Top 14 fixtures:
La Rochelle v Clermont Auvergne | Bordeaux Bègles v Stade Français | Oyonnax v Agen | Brive v Racing 92 | Castres v Montpellier | Pau v Lyon | Toulon v Toulouse
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