Search results

I'm not sure this is making as strong of a rebuttal about his behaviour as you think it is...

Wasn't judiciary's finding no initial contact with the head, and any subsequent contact with the head wasn't enough to warrant anything? Which I 100% agree with

For mine, I think it's pretty clear from the footage that there is some contact with the head, but from the side of Tupou's arm and not his shoulder. Although, from Brown's perspective, I'm not sure how much of a difference that makes when it's Tupou at full steam!

Struth, you’d hate to be the citing officer who had to show up to work tomorrow

What? This was about accountability - I never said anything about independence or nationality, let alone suggest bias from officials of two nations who aren’t even part of the comp anymore On your point though, I think oversight at an international level is great for the game and goes a ways...

Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Realistically, holding players accountable for (acute) head contact is the only way to disincentive actions that could lead to it, unintended or otherwise. CTE doesn't care whether or not there was intent, and you can't fully advocate for player safety without...

Croc roll - arguably more dangerous

While I mostly agree with this perspective, I think that it's important to note SANZAAR citing Tupou is independent of the on-field decision, i.e. it's likely he would've been cited even if he was penalised/carded. As the governing body, SANZAAR have a duty to provide oversight and...

I had wondered if the match officials are asked to outline their position in these hearings, especially given that they've had a chance to reassess

Can't be far off now

Christ, looking at these names alone, three OS players really is a very limiting number. P.S. surely it has to be Quade

Why further complicate things and add room for even more variation in oversight of the game?

Good pickup. I'm not so sure Tupou makes a genuine attempt to wrap. Brown being blown out of the ruck by the initial contact doesn't help, but there's definitely a 'push' out from Tupou's arm that isn't consistent with binding.

3 to 4 weeks if challenge unsuccessful? Not liking their odds

Over 16hrs since Tupou's hearing and still no word - seems a bit odd doesn't it? One of the journos (can't remember who it was) tweeted last night that multiple requests via call, text, and email for an update or timeframe had received no response

Kalani to start and Tate off the bench?

Most professions aren't running the risk of CTE or serious injury... you can absolutely understand the desire to make as much as you can in 5-10yrs. Also it's not like most guys go and retire onto yacht and live out the rest of their days - retiring from professional sport usually doesn't mean...

This is the main problem I have with the 'incident' and similar rulings as well - your options for quickly and effectively removing the player going for the ball are very limited when they are positioned as Brown is. I 100% support player welfare and safety being at the forefront of decision...

Watched a replay again and it's definitely shoulder to shoulder contact, but it's pretty clear from the rear shot (in slow mo anyway) that Tupou's arm makes contact with Brown's head on the way in. By my understanding of the framework that is a yellow at most (in reality I think it's just a well...