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Is this the softest red card in history? Sergio Parisse sent off in bizarre circumstances
By RugbyPass
The opening round of the Top 14 saw one of the most puzzling red cards in history over the weekend.
Italian Sergio Parisse was sent off for an 'elbow to the face' of an opponent during a match between Stade Francais and Perpignan. The catch? Parisse had the ball, after just fielding a kickoff.
Bracing for impact, Parisse shielded himself from the defender who took a very poor angle - flying in at the Number 8 with very questionable technique before his head collided with Parisse's shoulder.
The referees reportedly followed protocol as there was contact between the Parisian's elbow and the defender's head, but the circumstances are very harsh on a player protecting himself from the oncoming kickoff defence.
Parisse, the captain of his side, protested in vain as the referees consulted with the third match official. The referees described the red card as 'severe' which raises questions as to why common sense didn't prevail. The captain left the field in visible confusion, almost throwing his mouthguard away in a display of disgust.
Is this the worst red card decision ever?
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Latest Comments
There is this thing going around against Siya Kolisi where they don't want him to be known as the best national captain ever, so they strike him down in ratings permanently whenever they can. They want McCaw and reckons he is the best captain ever. I disagree.
Just like they refuse to see SA as the best team and some have even said that should the Boks win a third WC in a row, they will still not be the best team ever. Even if they win every game between now and the WC. That is some serious hate coming SA's way.
Everyone forget how the McCaw AB's intimidated refs, was always on the wrong side, played on the ground etc. Things they would never have gotten away with today. They may have a better win ratio, but SA build depth, not caring about rank inbetween WC's until this year.
They weren't as bad inbetween as people claim, because non e of their losses was big ones and they almost never faced the strongest Bok team outside of the WC, allowing countries like France and Ireland to rise to the top unopposed.
Rassie is still at it, building more depth, getting more young stars into the fold. By the time he leaves (I hope never) he will leave a very strong Bok side for the next 15- 20 years. Not everyone will play for 20 years, but each year Rassie acknowledge the young stars and get them involved and ready for international rugby.
Not everyone will make it to the WC, but those 51/52 players will compete for those spots for the WC. They will deliver their best. The future of the Boks is in very safe hands. The only thing that bothers me is Rassie's health. If he can overcome it, rugby looks dark for the rest of the rugby world. He is already the greatest coach in WR history. By the time he retires, he will be the biggest legend any sport has ever seen
Go to commentsWas it? I just brought it up in some of my posts to rub it in that the AB last year nearly put 100 on a top 6N side lol
I agree to be honest. The biggest key to me that they might be jadded was none of them had mom performances, or even as good as their last three games.
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