This Jerome Kaino Tackle On Jamie Roberts Has Really Split Opinion
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Divided.
The huge talking point from Saturday’s game between Bath and Toulouse at the Rec was understandably Freddie Burns’ costly error in the final moments – but there were plenty other talking points following Toulouse’s 22-20 win.
One such talking point was the referee’s decision to show former All Black Jerome Kaino a yellow card for a challenge on Bath centre Jamie Roberts early on in the game.
Roberts ended up failing a HIA as a result of the tackle, but the reaction to the challenge has been mixed to say the least. Some feel it was a perfectly good tackle – others reckon it was a red card offence.
Not even close to a yellow card. 2 big blokes running into each other. Technically Kaino should have bent his knees a bit and not stood square on but poor technique isn't a sin binning #BATvTOU #HeinekenCup
— Rhys Knott (@buck_mitchell) October 13, 2018
Kaino – direct contact with the shoulder to the head, no arms.
Yellow Card
Please explain…
— Haydn Davies (@haydn_davies) October 13, 2018
The tackle from Kaino is absolutely fine!!! These calls are ruining the game!!!
— Richard Mayhew (@richardmayhew85) October 13, 2018
This is from EPCR presentation to all champions cup coaches re 3 areas referees are focusing on. We’ve seen 1st casualty #kaino pic.twitter.com/yjMtmRvIYg
— Ben Kay (@BenKay5) October 13, 2018
Worth reiterating. Kaino's hit is PRECISELY the kind of tackle the authorities are trying to outlaw. Two upright bodies and two heads in the space = higher concussion risk. The only debate is whether it should have been a yellow or a red.
— Chris Jones BBC (@chjones9) October 13, 2018
Fair hit by Kaino. Just mullered him.
— Mike Hancock (@mike_hancock13) October 13, 2018
Kaino was perhaps lucky there don't seem to be any cameras on the opposite side of the pitch from the main stand at the Rec.
We couldn't see where his shoulder initially made contact, so he got the benefit of the doubt.#BATvTOU
— rugby (@theblitzdefence) October 13, 2018
Kaino himself has admitted he reckons he could have got a red, while Roberts joked after the game his jaw is a “pretty sizeable target” to hit. What makes the whole thing so confusing is the hit can be interpreted in a number of different ways, depending on what angle you look at it.
It really is hard to see where exactly the contact took place initially, and the argument can be made that Roberts dips at the last minute.
Have a look at the challenge yourself below. Was it a yellow? Should it have been red? Or was it a perfectly good tackle?
"I think that's a fair tackle."
Jerome Kaino received a yellow for this challenge.
Harsh? pic.twitter.com/RWTHBekf3G
— Watch #ShoulderToShoulder on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) October 13, 2018
