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Referee Luke Pearce praised for handling of Canadian red card

Canada's Josh Larsen is shown the red card by referee Luke Pearce in Kobe (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

In a World Cup where officials have come under a lot of criticism, even from World Rugby, Luke Pearce has been praised for his refereeing of South Africa’s contest with Canada on Tuesday.  

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The English official handed Canadian lock Josh Larsen a red in the first half for a shoulder charge to the head of Springboks prop Thomas du Toit. However, it wasn’t necessarily the decision to give a red card which was praised, as it was unanimously deemed to be a red, but his handling of the situation. 

Pearce was thorough in his decision-making and was not intent on rushing the decision. While the television match official seemed reluctant to call it a red, as there was initially contact to the shoulder, the referee was forthright in his conviction. 

When some referees have been keen to downgrade cards to a yellow at times this RWC for fear of a backlash, Pearce didn’t shirk in his decision. The manner in which he explained the call – saying “I’m sure you’re aware of the current climate” – only justified why he made the right choice. 

In light of this decision, he has been praised as the best referee in the competition by fans on Twitter, which is rare praise as referees have been lambasted by fans over the past few weeks for a multitude of reasons, including allegations of bias. This is what was said:

https://twitter.com/popeycymru/status/1181525147771179009?s=20

https://twitter.com/jarleth_eaton/status/1181526730307244032?s=20

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While some red cards and tackles have been debatable at times in this RWC, this was a clear red in Kobe and a senseless act of foul play by Larsen. Similar to Italy’s red card for Andrea Lovotti against the Springboks last week, the offence occurred on South Africa’s line. 

Not only were Canada in the ascendency, but this was also simply wanton violence that was not needed. This would probably have been a red card on most occasions, but with World Rugby seeking to clamp down on any contact to the head over the past couple of years and during this RWC, this sanction had to be given. 

WATCH: RugbyPass gets the fans’ verdict following South Africa’s easy win over Canada

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fl 1 hour ago
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“He made history beyond the age of 50. History.”

He made history before the age of 50, why are you so keen to downplay Pep’s early career achievements? In 2009 he won the sextuple. No other manager in history had achieved that, and Pep hasn’t achieved it since, but here you are jizzing your pants over a couple of CL finals.


“If continuing to break records and achieve trophies isn't a metric for success”

Achieving trophies is a metric for success, and Pep wins fewer trophies as he gets older.


“He's still competing for a major trophy this year. Should he get it, it would be 8 consecutive seasons with a major trophy. Then the world club cup in the summer.”

You’re cherry picking some quite odd stats now. In Pep’s first 8 seasons as a manager he won 6 league titles, 2 CL titles, & 4 cup titles. In Pep’s last 8 seasons as a manager (including this one) he’s won 6 league titles, 1 CL title, & 2 (or possibly 3) cup titles. In his first 8 seasons he won the FIFA world club cup 3 times; in his last 8 seasons he’s won it 1 (or possibly soon to be 2) time(s). In his first 8 seasons he won the UEFA super cup 3 times; in his last 8 he won the UEFA super cup once. His record over the past 8 seasons has been amazing - but it is a step down from his record in his first 8 seasons, and winning the FA cup and FIFA club world cup this summer won’t change that.


Pep is still a brilliant manager. He will probably remain a brilliant manager for many years to come, but you seem to want to forget how incredible he was when he first broke through. To be clear - you said that Pep had gotten better with age by every metric. That was false!

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