This is a short clip from Friday night’s Magners League match played in Cardiff as Scarlets beat the Blues 16-10. It was a low scoring affair with two nice tries but not too much else to write home about, other than this big tackle in the first half.
Morgan Stoddart made the hit on opposite number Leigh Halfpenny and despite putting on a good poker face and arguing his point to the ref, was penalised as it was viewed as dangerous by the touch judge.
Based on recent occurrences, the tackle might have been worthy of a yellow card, but in Stoddarts favour was the fact that he brought the player to ground safely, albeit on the back of his neck in what looked more like a wrestling move than a rugby tackle.
It could be viewed as an awesome tackle for some, but reckless and dangerous for others. It probably depends which side of the fence you sit on. Stoddart was actually yellow carded a few minutes later though as he failed to roll away after making a tackle close to his tryline.
Halfpenny wasnt injured, and continued on but later picked up an ankle injury, causing an injury scare for the national team. Coach Dai Young said he will be fit though ahead of the series against Australia, South Africa, Fiji and New Zealand.
Stoddart himself limped off in the second half after picking up a hamstring niggle.
Time: 01:42
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