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'He's gone' - Tearful Beno Obano costs Bath with moment of madness
By Neil Fissler
Beno Obano will take an unwanted place in the history books after being only the second player to be sent off for a high tackle for his moment of madness at Twickenham.
The Bath loosehead was shown a straight red card after 22 minutes by referee Christophe Ridley for a high tackle on Northampton Saints No.8 Juarno Augustus.
Obano, Maro Itoje's cousin, was left to sit in stunned disbelief, tears following his checks after Ridley was given little option.
He had been in the running for a place on England’s summer tour to Japan and New Zealand, but any suspension is likely to rule him off the plane this week.
Ironically, the first player sent off in a Premiership Final was Northampton’s Dylan Hartley, who was dismissed in 2013 for allegedly swearing at referee Wayne Barnes.
🟥 Red card for Beno Obano after 21 minutes pic.twitter.com/RNOmzdLdGc
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) June 8, 2024
Hartley’s red card against Leicester Tigers proved costly, as it saw him miss the Lions' tour to Australia that summer.
He told the RugbyPass offload show in 2020 that he almost wanted a taxi to take him home from Twickenham at half-time.
“When he [Barnes] sent me off, it was a moment of disbelief, actually. I couldn’t believe what was happening. It almost went like slow motion, like the whole world was ending. “Yellow cards are alright because you just jog off and know you’re going to come back on, hopefully. But red cards, it’s the slowest walk of your life.
“I knew the impact that that had. It was Northampton’s first-ever final in the Premiership, it was against our rivals Leicester. That season had been perfect for us. We were flying.
“I let down not only the team but the town. It was a pretty long walk of shame. I went straight to the changing rooms and had a moment with myself.
“I thought the easy thing to do here is to sit in. I felt like getting a taxi home, out the fire escape kind of thing,” he said.
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Latest Comments
It could just be they got their international shot, and developed when they did, sure.
But Brad shields was soft as butter before he left, that’s why he was never going to get more than a few injury replacement caps for the ABs.
Much, much better player for his time up north.
Go to commentsI think Leinster had a plan to win both matches.
The defensive pressure was impressive and it made things hard for sharks with the greasy ball. That’s not an academy team though, a lot of those guys have two SA tours under their belt and a load of Leinster caps. There were a few new caps but so few as to not effect the system. Gunne was a first start but he has had a good few appearances and is a talent in play and attitide.
Sharks reaction to some early errors seemed to shout “Here we go again”.
As good as Leinster played and as hard as they made it, I assumed that Sharks would have the quality to find a way. Leinster slowed the rucks just enough to cause Sharks some issues and overruns etc.
The great Eben Etzebeth was missing and he is clearly great in motivating and driving a team as well as in play. Some thing more than Etzebeth missing. The Leinster players not playing today will be cheering and sucking energy from that performance as much as if they were there. That’s the spirit in the club. Anyone can see how bonded and loyal Snyman, Barrett and Slimani are in a small period of time. I think Leinster have a special setup up there, but Sharks are definately below average in belief, confidence and spirit based on Saturday.
Obviously a straight forward kick for a draw was available at the end but I don’t think that would have been acceptable and Sharks must go for the win at home.
Note: Zebo said in coverage that if Erasmus has the reigns with Sharks they would be no1 in URC and Champions Cup ‘By a distance’. I don’t agree with that ofcourse but in between sucking up to Erasmus he is clearly pinpointing what he believes is a coaching issue.
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