ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Referee overrules TMO to Red Card player who is off the field for HIA and stitches

BY Grant Constable  ·  Tuesday Mar 9, 2021

Gloucester flyer Ollie Thorley received one of the more bizarre sending-offs we’ve seen after a dangerous challenge he made against Wasps this past weekend. He faces a disciplinary hearing today. 

ADVERTISEMENT

In an eventful contest that included one of the greatest prop assists for a try ever seen, Thorley was just another talking point after he flew into a tackle upright.

The England-capped speedster chased a Willie Heinz high ball but unfortunately went into the challenge on Rob Miller very upright, resulting in a clash of heads/faces.

WATCH: Ollie Thorley turns on the afterburners for one of the best tries you will see this year

Thorley received immediate medical attention and had to go off for an HIA with blood gushing from his face, and was replaced by Charlie Sharples.

Referee Matthew Carley had his attention drawn to the incident and despite the best efforts of TMO Graham Hughes to dissuade him from taking a stringent view on the challenge, Carley broke it down.

“He is upright. He doesn’t bend at all, and he is going forward into the tackle. With the black player, there is no significant dip there. So I think we’ve definitely got fault by the white player. He could bend at the waist and he could tackle lower,” said the referee to his TMO.

Hughes responded: “But I’m not seeing that as foul play. He goes to grasp him.. and he then comes off worse, so…”

ADVERTISEMENT

Carley overruled him, again citing the facts of the incident, and eventually got Hughes to agree with him (albeit reluctantly).

“He’s always high. He’s got clear line of sight to run into the tackle, and he makes direct head contact with the Wasps player… No attempt to dip. I don’t think there’s any way we can mitigate that. So it’s got to be a red card,” Carley said.

The red card was shown, and with Thorley already off the field, his replacement Sharples then had to return to the bench.

Thorley will today (Tues 9.3) face an independent disciplinary hearing for a dangerous tackle, contrary to World Rugby Law 9.13.

ADVERTISEMENT

You can see the incident in full in the highlights below.

Related Articles

  • 32 WEEKS AGO

    Fiji Drua player Lomani slapped with ban...

  • 42 WEEKS AGO

    The sending off that rocked the Six Nations...

  • 43 WEEKS AGO

    Wrecking ball beats 10 players to score full...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Outlandish Jacob Stockdale finish is truly world class

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Ulster denied THE GREATEST URC try you will ever see!

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Capuozzo break sets Dupont up for hatrick on return

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

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

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Ireland 'steal' Argentina's opening try as debate rages

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

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

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

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

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    South African school boy makes the greatest tackle ever

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

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

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

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

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    French scrumhalf drills perfect shot at goal under outrageous circumstances

View All

Funnies

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Mischievous Marcus Smith spotted engaging in the dark arts during All Blacks match

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

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

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

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

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

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

View All

Amateur

  • 98 WEEKS AGO

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

  • 98 WEEKS AGO

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

  • 121 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 121 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 121 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    'Eligible for England' - Fans react to South African star's contract announcement

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    The 19-year-old named the 'future' of English rugby after win against Australia A

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Anthony Watson exclusive: 'I wouldn't be surprised if England win'

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    It’s a 9.5/10 for Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

View All