Thursday, June 12, 2008
Mathieu Bastareaud red card - U20 World Championships
Against Italy in the current Under 20 World Championships in Wales, Bastareaud found himself receiving his marching orders after he was adjudged to have committed a dangerous spear tackle, worthy of a red card.
The young Fijian touch judge James Bolabiu felt that the tackle was malicious and made that recommendation to Ref Tim Hayes.
The ensuing disciplinary hearing, that took place at the Millenium Stadium earlier today, resulted in Bastareaud receiving a one week suspension, making him unavailable for the match against Wales on the weekend. He has 48 hours to appeal the ruling.
Commentator Gareth Llewellyn absolutely disagrees with the decision on the field, disputing whether it was actually a spear tackle of not. Momentum, the other centre being involved, and the power of Bastareaud may all have contributed to the manner in which the Italian player came down.
His hips where above his head and the result is that he landed dangerously. How he got there, and the other factors involved, well, that's not for us to decide, and the independent judicial officer's decision was a one week ban.
Opinions will vary though I'm sure.
Posted at 11:01 pm | 59 comments
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Viewing 59 comments
Eric June 12, 2008 10:13 pm
The landing was dangerous, quite an unorthodox spear tackle. I think it wasn't bastareauds fault, without the other french player lifting the italian fullback it would probably had been an awesome tackle.
Anonymous June 12, 2008 10:14 pm
Well, it sure is a dangerous tackle, but there's no malice in my view. Never diserved a red ! A yellow would have done it I think.Anyway, that hit could make its way to the next TSRB if you ask me ;)
cotton June 12, 2008 10:20 pm
It wasnt a spear tackle in my opinion, altough the italian player hips was above the head, bastareauds didnt contributed for that movement, the italian playr was just cought off balance.Nasty fall, maybe a yellow card, but as there wasnt any malice in the movement, a red is too much.
Stevo June 12, 2008 10:27 pm
Mathieu Bastareaud is an idiot and so is his team mate who first goes in with a high tackle they are both to blame which could of been a extremely serious situation then he has the f***king cheek to try start a fight with a Italian player for no reason. Being pumped up is one thing being a disgrace is another.
Greg Turner June 12, 2008 10:32 pm
clearly you can see Italian player landed baldy.. to me it wasnt '22' fault the italian player rolled over '13'...red card was extreme and a weeks band is shocking decision
Anonymous June 12, 2008 10:34 pm
hes a centre!!!??? bluddy hell!!!! didnt like the way he pushed the italian after what was a stupid tackle! maybe a yellow was the right call! seems like he was a bit to sure of him self there.......yeh he is pumped up but dosent look like he knows what hes doing from that clip!!
felix June 12, 2008 10:47 pm
it reminds me of the 'o'driscoll incident' from the last lions tour to nz (which like this one, was blown out of proportion in my opinion). The tyhing which really annoys me about this is that bastaraud has a perfect chance to rip the ball and cause a turnover, instead he chooses brawn over brains and smashes the italian instead. someone skilled in this situation like richie mccaw for example would have have ripped the ball and launched a counter attack. thats why he's one of the best players in the world and this guy is a 19 year old amateur who's spent too much time in the gym and not enough time learning the game.
Anonymous June 12, 2008 10:50 pm
It's the first time I see Bastareaud, he doesn't looks like a centre, in french he is known on the top 14 as a "hard player". So I think the red card is a good thing for he because he must know the limit.
kvt June 12, 2008 11:13 pm
it was dangerous but not intentionalquestion is, why was he suspended for a week if it wasn't intentional?
greg June 12, 2008 11:31 pm
felix are you stupid? 'amateur' if you know anything about french rugby or can read the section above the video you'll notice it says hes in the senior stade francais team, and they are a pro team soo i dont think you have quite grasped the meaning of the word amateur! and like you said hes 19 its called experience richie maccaw wasnt the best player in the world at 19 he grew into it from mistakes! anyway enough about that idiot its a yellow at most
Eoghan June 12, 2008 11:56 pm
The tackler didn't see the tackled player safely to the floor. You can hit them as hard as you want, break ribs, puncture lungs and cut someone in half as long as they land in a manner that wont break a neck. That's why it was dangerous. Not a red for sure, but I think a yellow would have been fair.
Alasdair June 13, 2008 2:11 am
Not malicious to a degree that it merited a red. Probably a yellow would have been appropriate.
Joe June 13, 2008 4:16 am
What a Bastareaud!Heh. Could not resist.The reason he went up so high is that his hips pivoted where he was held by No 13. Unfortunate, dangerous result, but certainly Bastareaud did not intend to spear him.
Frank_Rhyno June 13, 2008 5:31 am
My view is that it is a yellow card offence. I suppose the landing was dangerous, it was head first. And also Batareauds didnt 'land with him' but thats just my 2 cents.
sambobly June 13, 2008 7:03 am
Hips above the shoulders, penalty probably yellow. Not red, but I can see how if it was viewed just once and at full speed it could appear worse.
Dave June 13, 2008 7:19 am
Yellow card for my money. And no, this is NOTHING like the o'driscoll incident from 2005. This is a young, inexperienced player getting a tad overenthusiastic, whereas that was two senior players deliberately spearing an opponent off the ball.
italianscrummy June 13, 2008 7:23 am
Definitely a yellow card, not a red....and hey, I'm italian;)the decision was exagerated..but i can't stand their reactions...just take it in and think next time..that smirk reminds me of Mr. Duncan McRae.to the anonymous with no balls...i bet a fijian officiates 10 times better than you.racist bastard.we don't need that here.
Bart June 13, 2008 7:40 am
Was dangerous, not malicious. Yellow card would have been sufficient. What annoys me more is the attitude. First almost starting a fight and then the hand gesture after seeing the red card. Wendyball attitude is not appreciated!!!! You win some and you loose some with the ref's decisions. That's life, that's rugby. Get on with it and take it like a man.
nick June 13, 2008 8:08 am
that touch judge clearly shows his inexperiance , and that he has no apreaciation for the tough sport that rugby is , it was a good hit up! i wish refs wouldn't spoil it for everyone like that it's stiflinng and spioling the game for everyone!!!!!
Sharky June 13, 2008 8:27 am
The thing that gets me, is that if it were a harsh decision, as most of us agree, then why is he still suspended for a game? Surely the council or whatever watched the replays and realised there was no real malice or intent here, therefore the red on the day was enough? Or maybe they're trying to make an example at a young age, which is fair enough I guess. Regarding the touch judge, he's one of the youngest refs in world rugby, and actually officiated the Hong Kong Sevens final this year. He's normally really really good, very composed and knows what he's doing. He's only human, so if he thought it was a red, at least he stuck with it, instead of ummming and aaahing like we see them doing sometimes.
Peej June 13, 2008 8:50 am
To be fair to the touch judge, I thought he was completely led into it by the referee, who seemed pretty sure what decision he wanted to give. Why did they not consult the other assiastant referee I wonder?And does the Italian player even land on his head? I hought he landed on his back. Bastareaud hits him in the chest, wraps his arms, and as many other people have pointed out, he rolls over the French 13. I thought it may have actually been him who actually flipped the Italian, look how he lifts his legs up into the air. The red card was unwarranted, I think a yellow at most against a substitute in the last minute of a game. I'm not saying foul play shouldn't be punished, I'm saying that I didn't believe this to be deliberate foul play deserving of a red card. I hope he appeals his ban and gets it overturned, especially after the De Wet Barry incident, where he shoulder charged Tait in the face and off the ball, but had no suspension.
AFIQ_RAYYAN June 13, 2008 9:20 am
I tink thats just a case of bad luck. Well i tink most people would agree with me in that smashing an opposition feels better than scoring a try against them but then again,its up to u. Things like this just happens. And everything's been done. A card offence surely but not a RED imo.
Anonymous June 13, 2008 9:25 am
I think the refs need to toughen up.When you play rugby, you expect the worst.I personally reckon that tackle was phenomenal, no malicious intent, the only intent was to make a huge legal hit and the guy was obviously too off balance to put on any resistance. Yes, shoulder + arms in the tackle, No, the ref shouldn't of bothered.italian guy got OWNEDRed card = totally needs to re-read rule book. Yellow card = kinda lame...no ruling, play on = sensible
Sander June 13, 2008 9:37 am
Red seems a bit too much to me ... In the French guys's defense, it's not his fault the Italian player flips over. Frenchies problem is that he drives the player down, in my opinion.Red still seems a bit too much, though...I feel referees have a tendency to overreact to 'spear' tackles. Even lifting/dump tackles, in which the tackled player is brought down on his back, are spear tackles these days :(
bD June 13, 2008 9:45 am
its like the italian wanted that to happen....he wasnt lifted up and it look like he jumped when bastareaud came in...whatever about the medics stroking his hair lol
richard June 13, 2008 10:02 am
let's face itthe officials don't have replays to go with like the commentators and us viewers do...it happened quite fast so officials have to make decisions and not be unsure of themselvesbut if the red card was harsh then the one week suspension during the disciplinary hearing is even worse...the fact that he got the suspension shows that the officials still think it was intentional after watching the replayshe got the wrong card but these things happen and he showed no class being aggressive and doing the hand gesture to the ref
felix June 13, 2008 10:11 am
"felix are you stupid? 'amateur' if you know anything about french rugby or can read the section above the video you'll notice it says hes in the senior stade francais team"thanks greg, i take it that when you say he's 'in the team' you meant he's just joined stade francais and has played a handful of games. glas is 'in the team' bergamasco is 'in the team', bastareaud is a fringe player at the moment. either way, you are taking my comments too literally. when i said amateur i wasn't suggesting he plays without being paid, i was referring to his actions. a true professional would have stolen the ball. and even if the true professional had made the same hit, he would not have reacted to the referee's decision like a child. i was also mentioning his youth as a mitigating factor for his immature actions. anyway i'm sure bastareaud will become a SF regular and we'll see him in the 6 nations as a northern hemisphere nonu - i just hope he develops a rugby brain and doesn't continue along the big stupid lump path. actually i take that back - i'm not a france supporter so i hope he continue doing exactly what he's already doing.
felix June 13, 2008 10:13 am
oh and i agree with everyone else that it wasn't a red card offence and certainly doesn't warrant a ban.
samitarugby June 13, 2008 10:31 am
Im a massive italy fan, but still think that decision may have been a bit extreme. Yes, the italian player landed badly and so at least should have got a yellow, or maybe a red was the right call. But what i dislike the most is the way the french guy then has the cheek to get aggressive with the player he just hit. Its awesome to see U20 Italy highlights!Bring on italy v southafrica and argentina :Dkeep it up RD!
weksh no.7 June 13, 2008 10:44 am
i dont think it deserved a penalty never mind a red card! i think that the italian rolled over another playing along with the hard hit from bastareaud which caused the tackle to LOOK dangerous wrong decision
Anonymous June 13, 2008 11:58 am
Red card??! What a joke... It deserved a yellow, not a red! And to see a Fijian referee ask a red card for this is quite funny!
Killian June 13, 2008 12:12 pm
There was a directive handed down by the IRB to the referees at all levels that in the case of a spear tackle, the referee ought to begin with the most serious sanction i.e. a red card and work down. As I understand it if a player is speared that means that prima facie a red card must be issued except where there are extenuating circumstances such as momentum etc. So in theory this was a correct decision. That said, I am not sure I would have given red there. As least the referee and his assistants are being consistent.
Mike.S June 13, 2008 1:10 pm
Definate Yellow card, Its the tacklers job to make sure the opponant lands safely (abeit as hard as you can) regardless of another player "tripping"Shame he got a red but these things happern. Btw the Fijian ref is a really good one.Kinda funny seeing the people that dont play rugby give thier 2 cents like"that touch judge clearly shows his inexperiance , and that he has no apreaciation for the tough sport that rugby is , it was a good hit up! i wish refs wouldn't spoil it for everyone like that it's stiflinng and spioling the game for everyone!!!!!"Rules are there for a reason.
Tigers fan June 13, 2008 1:12 pm
Despite it looking very bad, I dont reckon that Bastareaud meant it. The guy rolling over the italian guy didnt help. however Bastareaud could have easily controlled the tackle instead of releasing him at the most dangerous moment, causing it to look like an intentional spear tackle. If he had controlled the man to the ground, I reckon he'd be fine.No to the red card, though I'd have given him a yellow
Anonymous June 13, 2008 1:49 pm
Completely rubbish decision.How is this any different to say when Ugo Monye body slammed that kid, and was applauded by neutrals for his tackle? I believe RD even had it up as a great tackle!Or for a league example, when Roy Asotasi did arguebly the better tackle of last season in the similar fashionIt's a simple lift and slam. No more malicious than any other tackle you see. Wasn't even that dangerous, either. The kid was just winded
scot June 13, 2008 2:03 pm
not a red card offence but a yellow onebastareaud is 20 : when his player info appears who can spot [20]it's his age
Anonymous June 13, 2008 2:23 pm
a bit harsh i think.he looks lik a kicked puppy walking off!
Arnaud June 13, 2008 2:48 pm
More over it was the injury time....stupid french...
hackneygriffin June 13, 2008 3:31 pm
This has gone too far...The spear tackle needs to be removed from the game. There is no doubt that hitting a player low, lifting him and then "spearing" his head and neck into the ground is highly dangerous.But that is not a spear. It's a big hit from a big lad, exacerbated by the first French tackler in attendance. However a tackle does not become dangerous simply because the player hit is hurt. A tackler does have a responsibility to ensure a player lands safely (and this doesn't mean without pain or force, simply not on their neck or head) when he has picked another player up. But in this case the French tackler clearly did not pick him up. A yellow would have been harsh. A red was a mis-reading of the events and the rules on dangerous tackles. And the definition of a "Spear" obviously needs clearing up. As does some people's notion of what constitutes a legitimate tackle.
Anonymous June 13, 2008 3:40 pm
This is when red cards just aren't enough.. bring back the death penalty!!
Cheis June 13, 2008 4:18 pm
it's a deep dark red, mates...moreover, he should be lucky to come away with one week, cause his hand move when receiving the red card, could mean another week at least if you ask me
ricky June 13, 2008 5:18 pm
many of you are bashing the referee and his assistanthow about the official (Michael Coghlan - Ireland) who gave him the one week suspension? he could have let the player off but he obviously thinks Bastareaud meant it.
el ninio June 13, 2008 5:20 pm
defo not a red, possible yellow, that guy looks like abit of a beast tho
Ave88 June 13, 2008 6:03 pm
I am very angry with that decision which compelte rubbish. You can clearly see that the awkward landing of the Italian player is the result of him rolling on the back of Yann David, number 13. Therefore there was no malice, and a yellow would have been more than enough.It's a pitty because now France has lost one of their main asset ahead of the clash against Wales.
Ave88 June 13, 2008 6:10 pm
Also, the ref that day was.. Welsh. I am sure he was more than happy with aving the opportunity to get rid of Bastareaud given the fact that France and Wales are gonna be fighting for a place in the semi in a few day. He made wrong calls the whole game, penalizing France 15 times in the ruck, and only 3 times for the Italian. It was a astonishing mistake to give such a game to a welshmen, given the circumstances.
Anonymous June 13, 2008 6:12 pm
should have onlu been a yellow imo it wasnt the tacklers fault really
Daniel June 13, 2008 6:26 pm
Huge Hit And The Landing Was Very Dangerous. In My Case Worth A Yellow Card. Definitely Not A Red.
Pedro Fleury June 13, 2008 7:18 pm
Yellow card at max!completly unecessary to red card the guy ... I don't how was the game, so maybe the ref needed to claim his stance more firmly, but could have been with a yellow, no doubt.
hackneygriffin June 13, 2008 7:20 pm
Why why why is it a yellow card offence purely on the basis that the tackled player landed awkwardly? It's a contact sport, the tackle was within it's laws and the Italian unfortunate to be caught between a huge hit and a player unintentionally in a position to trip him. Most people agree there was no intent. Most would agree that the tackle was legal. So come on why is it an offence?
Bill June 13, 2008 7:43 pm
That was a confusing and iffy situation at best, and in my mind you don't give a red card unless you're absolutely sure it's necessary. I think a yellow was clearly warranted, as it was a dangerous tackle regardless of fault, but a red and a week off is just way too much.
Don June 14, 2008 12:19 pm
i think it's only me that thinks that italian player spear tackled himself?
Tvrtko June 15, 2008 6:04 pm
Hey, people, I don't konw how much of you are familiar with James Bolabiu, the Fijian ref, but I watched him extensively in 7s, especially Hong Kong this year where thay pushed him to referee all the important games (probably because Fiji got kicked out) and he was terrible! He is a typical example of the man who took up refereeing rugby but has never played a minute of the game!!! We have that sort in Croatia and it is sooooo obvious in the decisions that somewhat stick to the rules but has nothing to do with the actual things happening on the pitch nor the spirit of the game! James Bolabiu is a disgrace to rugby and I wonder why he gets such strong backing from the IRB? No wonder they are bringing in the ELV's if people who think he is a good and promising referee sit in the deciding boards...PS for all who think I overreacted, look at the Hong Kong 7s this year. I wanted to make this comment ever since and this video just made me do it.
Pierre June 30, 2008 12:24 pm
Dont know what video you were watching Stevo, but from what i saw he was being pulled by the italian player and pushed the guy off rather than had a fight with him.Personally i think that was unlucky, it could have easily been dangerous had he come down on his neck, but personally it didnt looking intentional, just looked like a massive hit.
Anonymous August 16, 2008 4:10 am
Unfortunately it is a spear tackle and it is dangerous. And the player was driven into the ground. This however is one of the exceptions that I feel it would be appropriate if just a yellow card was given.
Anonymous September 19, 2008 3:31 pm
U guys are ridicoulous and have never played, obviously, the french cud have started a counterattack and for some unknown reasons he decided to high and spear tackle the italian guy who was being held and was therefore an obviously easy target. had he ripped the ball and gone off, the italians wud have been absolutely raped. certain try. but no, he decides to get a deserved red card. maybe cuz hes young, whatever, but he has a lot to learn.
slick pass November 06, 2008 9:14 am
i dont understand when people say it had no intent, it was a yellow.... he smashed the guy and the french 13 was on the ground underneath him, thats an accident.... its a contact sport and accidents happen... i don't condone spear tackles at all but im just saying that tackle could happen just as easily as a dropped pass etc etc... week suspension is just a joke
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