Will Greenwood Blasted For Comments Following All Blacks Red Card
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Letter of the law.
The All Blacks suffered a shock 47-26 record defeat at the hands of Australia in the Rugby Championship this morning – losing their spot at the top of the World Rugby Rankings in the process.
Steve Hansen’s men have now provisionally slipped off the top spot for the first time in 10 years following the loss, with Wales overtaking them ahead of their clash with England tomorrow.
A huge turning point in the game came just before half-time when lock Scott Barrett was sent off for ramming his shoulder into the neck of Wallabies captain Michael Hooper in the 40th minute.
For most, including referee Jerome Garces most importantly, it was a straight red card to the letter of the law. But Sky Sports pundit Will Greenwood has come under fire for his comments, with the former England centre accusing Garces of “hiding behind the law.”
Not sure about you but the last time I check it was the referee’s job to observe and enforce these laws – which is exactly what Garces did. Have a look at the challenge below (and the comments), a red card all day long if you ask us. No question.
BAD BARRETT!
Just before HT, Scott Barrett is dealt a straight red for contact with the head of Wallabies captain Hooper.
16-12 at the break and Australia with the man advantage for the second half.
Sky Sports action and live blog https://t.co/h7C0kzTVIS pic.twitter.com/nP5qUzMZB4
— Sky Sports Rugby (@SkySportsRugby) August 10, 2019
Red card all day long very unfortunate for the game but to the letter of the law! #red
— Dafydd James (@DafyddJames13) August 10, 2019
Red all day, Sean Fitzpatrick showing NZ bias and @WillGreenwood saying ref hiding behind the law is a joke. Barrett made no effort to tackle lowered his body and made contact to neck and head with shoulder with force. Great spot by ref who stopped the game for confirmation.
— FoxyD97 (@mspartania_15) August 10, 2019
Greenwood and Fitzpatrick talking mince .Clear red. They seem to have forgotten about preventing traumatic brain injury.
— william johnstone (@WilliamBill1959) August 10, 2019
Not sure why Will Greenwood seemed to be so snippy about Garces' call on Barrett and absolutely no idea whatsoever what he meant by 'hiding behind the laws'.
It was a red card. All day. Every day.
Garces ain't perfect but he has cojones and he protects players.#allezleref
— Graham Simmons (@grahamjsimmons) August 10, 2019
Will, by all means debate red/yellow/mitigation (where we disagree) but IMO where you overstepped the mark was in your comments about Garces deliberately courting controversy and hiding behind technicalities, when in fact it was perfectly reasonable (correct IMO) to give red
— Dominic Ward (@DominicWard14) August 10, 2019
Not sure what @SkySportsRugby talking about in the studio at half time today#Barrett tucked shoulder/elbow to the head/neck of #Hooper
Only mitigating factor is Hooper’s body height and how low he was
Players (should) know if you tuck your elbow and use force your in trouble
— Darren Cave (@darrencave13) August 10, 2019
