Charles Piutau Tweets What We’re All Thinking About The New Tackle Laws

The Scarlets fought back to secure a 16-13 win over Ulster last night thanks to a controversial penalty try as a result of World Rugby’s new tackle laws.

Players making contact with an opponent’s head in “reckless tackles” now receive at least a yellow card, and so it proved for Ulster’s Sean Reidy who was sent to the bin.

The number eight thought he had denied Scarlets scrumhalf Aled Davies a score with a tackle on the try line, but because it was deemed high, referee Marius Mitrea not only sent him to the sinbin, but awarded the hosts a penalty try.

The decision to award the try sparked outrage online as many felt it was a huge overreaction. Davies was diving for the try-line, with Reidy trying to prevent him from scoring, in a very low challenge that started around the shoulders.

In these incidents, the attacker is always going to slip up as the defender tries to prevent his opponent from touching down. Ulster fullback Charles Piutau agrees.