Highlanders first five red carded after Michael Hooper dumped vertically in lifting clean out

Highlanders first five Sam Gilbert has been red carded for a dangerous lifting tackle on Wallaby captain Michael Hooper.

The 23-year-old makeshift 10 took Hooper way past the horizontal before dropping the Waratah vertically onto his head just under a half hour into the game with scores locked 7-all.

The lifting tackle was completed at the ruck as Gilbert attempted to clean out Hooper from the breakdown.

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Aotearoa Rugby Pod

The tip tackle was immediately condemned online, with Kiwi rugby media labelling the tackle ‘horrendous’ and ‘a moment of madness’ by the young Highlander.

28' | Sam Gilbert see's red for a dangerous tackle on Hoops#HIGvWAR pic.twitter.com/u70kfcT59b

— NSW Waratahs (@NSWWaratahs) May 22, 2022

Red all day. Now I should say I don't like the 20 minutes red card but I'd be a hypocrite. #HIGvWAR

— Huw Tindall (@HuwTindall) May 22, 2022

Sam Gilbert that's horrendous, get in the bin and stay there #HIGvWAR

— Ollie Ritchie (@OllieRitchie1) May 22, 2022

Red card for sure!

Don't need to think too hard about this one!

On your bike son!#HIGvWAR

— Big Will (@BigWill_Rugby) May 22, 2022

That's gotta be a red for Gilbert #HIGvWAR

— Christopher Reive (@ChrisReive) May 22, 2022

🚨RED CARD ALERT🚨#HIGvWAR

— Steve Lenthall (@steve_l15) May 22, 2022

Absolute moment of madness from Highlanders No10 Sam Gilbert, who is sent off after 29min for dumping Michael Hooper on his head in an illegal cleanout. Likely ban will mean Gilbert will miss quarterfinal v Blues in a fortnight. #HIGvWAR

— Patrick McKendry (@patmck6) May 22, 2022

That's a clear argument against the 20 min red right there. Horrific tackle. #HIGvWAR

— Jack Macpherson (@latts92) May 22, 2022

The incident will be reviewed at the judiciary and Gilbert is sure to miss the rest of the season with a suspension that will likely see him miss the last round and the playoffs.