Peter O’Mahony Stretchered Off After Mid-Air Collision With Israel Folau

Ouch.

Ireland currently lead Australia 12-9 at half-time in their crucial series decider at the Allianz Stadium in Sydney, but they’ve just lost their talisman and captain Peter O’Mahony.

The skipper was stretchered off just after thirty minutes as a result of a controversial clash in the air with Wallaby fullback Israel Folau. While the competition in the air was fair, Folau clearly pulls him down as he’s coming down.

Referee Pascal Gauzere looked to be giving just a penalty to Ireland but stand in captain Johnny Sexton urged him to go to the TMOfor an extra look. After some hesitation, the French official went upstairs and the TMO stated:

“He’s in a realistic position at first but then he plays the man in the air and pulls him down on his back. Penalty and yellow card.”

The argument has also been made by Michael Lynagh in the Sky Sports studio that perhaps CJ Stander has a duty of care with the one-man lift. What do you think? Was a yellow the right decision? Should it have been red? Should it have been just a penalty?

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