ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

James O'Connor yellow carded for dump tackle on Zane Kirchner

BY Grant Constable  ·  Tuesday Apr 26, 2011

James O'Connor yellow carded for dump tackle on Zane Kirchner

The Western Force beat the defending Super Rugby champions 26-21 in Perth on Saturday, with young James O’Connor slotting six penalties. He was however yellow carded at one stage, harshly perhaps, which freed up space for the Bulls.

Wallaby O’Connor, not yet 21, is key to the Force’s success, as was evident again on the weekend. He was carded by referee Mark Lawrence though for this dangerous tackle on Bulls fullback Zane Kirchner, which brought up further questions surrounding the tackle law.

At first glance it looked a solid hit, but Lawrence, who by all means was unlucky to miss out on a World Cup slot, deemed it dangerous. Law 10.4 (j) states that a player may not lift an opponent and drop or drive him into the ground while his feet are still in the air, such that the players head or upper body come into contact with the ground.

The law is pretty clear, but that doesn’t necessarily mean its correct to make sure it’s enforced each and every time that a player is lifted in a tackle. Could there not be a provision made for referee’s discretion? There is a difference between lifting a player in a tackle, and a spear .

Opinions may vary on this one, and so they should, but its not the first time that we’ve seen a tackle that is only dangerous in the rugby sense get blown up, and the player carded.

Nathan Sharpe could be heard saying ‘That’s just a great hit, surely?’ to which Lawrence responded ‘He’s lifted him. It’s not my law, that is the law.’

Do you think it’s worth sacrificing 7 out of 10 tackles to make sure that we avoid those 3 really dangerous ones, or do you think that its time the tackle law was revised slightly? I’m sure there’s lots of different opinions on this one, so please share yours as a comment below.

Time: 01:54

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 29 WEEKS AGO

    Fiji Drua player Lomani slapped with ban...

  • 39 WEEKS AGO

    The sending off that rocked the Six Nations...

  • 40 WEEKS AGO

    Wrecking ball beats 10 players to score full...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Outlandish Jacob Stockdale finish is truly world class

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Ulster denied THE GREATEST URC try you will ever see!

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Capuozzo break sets Dupont up for hatrick on return

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Fans praise 'Dom Perignon Rugby' as Irish players prepare for final match of South African tour

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Harlequins winger heralded as the next big England breakthrough after weekend's performance

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    South African school boy makes the greatest tackle ever

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Huge guillotine tackle divides fans in viral footage

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Fans call for Stuart Hogg to face punishment after altercation involving ball boy

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    French scrumhalf drills perfect shot at goal under outrageous circumstances

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Siya Kolisi makes young fans' day as he arrives at Cape Town school

View All

Funnies

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Mike Haley's post match interaction with RG Snyman leaves no doubt about where Munster players stand

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    The rugby guy and Mack Hansen drop an all time BANGER with latest video

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    ‘Pitch is made of concrete’ - Fan provides much needed update following half time incident

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    'I have win!' Mathieu Raynal's hilarious player interaction caught on ref mic

View All

Amateur

  • 94 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 95 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 118 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 118 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 118 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Louis Rees-Zammit opens up about his biggest shock in chasing NFL dream

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    'It's been an honour' - Wales legend retires from international rugby

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    'It's been horrible' - Wales captain to miss Autumn Nations

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'It was an easy decision for me' - Saints star commits to future

View All