REFEREES must find alignment on head-on-head collisions, and fast, otherwise this World Cup could be compromised by inequality.
Three similar incidents across the opening weekend of the global tournament in France and zero consensus on the refereeing outcome.
If one player cops a three-match ban and another walks away unpunished after similar incidents, then the knockout stages could be spoiled by imbalanced officiating.
World Rugby's drive to lower tackle height and improve player safety remains vital. But when even the world's best referees cannot adjudicate similar incidents in one clear way, then the sport is in big trouble.
England's Tom Curry could wind up with a suspension tonight for his head-on-head collision with Argentina's Juan Cruz Mallia on Saturday. England prevailed 27-10 in Marseille, despite playing all but three minutes with 14 men.
But it does not mask the fact that Curry's dismissal was uncannily similar to Chile captain Martin Sigren's collision with Japan's Kotaro Matsushima. Sigren was handed only a yellow card.
Bu hikaye Evening Standard dergisinin September 12, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Evening Standard dergisinin September 12, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Why are England wasting time waiting for Tuchel?
Winning the World Cup is the aim, so the new boss should start now
He's been shot, and punched by Mike Tyson, but British boxing's great survivor is back on top and aiming to rule the world
This is where the magic happens,\" reads a big neon sign scrawled across the entrance to the offices of arguably the most powerful man in British boxing today.
How Sketch went from 'obscene' to era-defining
After arocky start, the glamorous and infamous restaurant is now an institution
Money is worth less than time'
He's quit Fendi, but what will Kim Jones do next?
London's Roman Amphitheatre
Guildhall Yard, EC2V
Liberals didn't notice they'd lost relevance in the all-consuming digital sphere
There are many reasons why Donald Trump might have won the election last week.
Do we have to die?
One neuroscientist thinks the answer is no
How to have a magical Christmas in Edinburgh
From cosy cobblestone streets to abundant Yuletide goings-on, few cities rival the Scottish capital in creating Christmas whimsy.
London's best festive restaurants
The social season is upon us once more. These are the city’s most coveted Christmas venues, which need to be booked soon so as to not miss out on the tinsel and tipples.
Rag'n'Bone Man
I struggle with being recognised... I'll never really feel comfortable with it'
