ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
REGISTER
LOGIN
ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
Sunday Sep 2, 2018

Alaska Taufa carded after demolishing Romain Ntamack with 'dangerous tackle'

Grenoble’s Alaska Taufa was punished for this massive hit on Toulouse’s Romain Ntamack in their match on Saturday. After some deliberation, the tackle was deemed too dangerous by the referee, and the Tongan international left the field.

It’s become business as usual in the Top 14, it would seem. Another week, yet another perplexing yellow or red card. First it was the much-maligned red card issued to Sergio Parisse for essentially standing his ground.

Malakai Fekitoa was also given a perplexing yellow card – much to his surprise – after a seemingly legal tackle against Racing. Both of these examples have left players and fans scratching their heads.

World Rugby Law 9.13 concerning foul play states: “A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously. Dangerous tackling includes, but is not limited to, tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent above the line of the shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders.”

Then enter Taufa’s tackle. Was this indeed a dangerous tackle? As this was deemed dangerous, it seems the line between legal and dangerous is getting ever thinner.

It seems more and more cards are being given based on things such as speed and force of hit, not whether a tackle was actually illegal. 

Thankfully, common sense has not been completely abandoned as Parisse’s card was ultimately overturned. Player safety is paramount, but big hits are part of the game. It’s going be a long Top 14 season if this trend continues.

Toulouse went on to win a tight contest 23-20.

Credit: Top Rugby

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 43 WEEKS AGO

    Montage of HUGE hits and brilliant tries...

  • 43 WEEKS AGO

    Just Jonny Wilkinson smashing people

  • 44 WEEKS AGO

    New Zealand Rugby Brawl



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Springbok winger with the most athletic non-try of the season

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Jack Crowley drops the ball on dime for brilliant Munster try in URC Final

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    WATCH: World class offload from James O’Connor Leads To Long Range Reds Try

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster up and running with two incredible tries inside the first five minutes

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Chiefs Score The “Best Team Try” In Super Rugby History

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 21 HOURS AGO

    Marcos Kremer shown red card for reckless shot on Finn Russell

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Heroic tackle from Spanish 7s player goes viral

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    No sanction handed down by SANZAAR for tackle that left Reds player with a fractured neck

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Cheslin Kolbe Dominates Sebastian Cancelliere with back-to-back big tackles

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Ben Curry's World Cup hopes dashed as he becomes the latest victim of the crocodile roll

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    Barbarians Vs World XV highlights

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Silly Skill From Toulouse Fullback Highlights French Confidence

  • 15 WEEKS AGO

    Ardie Savea Moment Of Magic In Super Rugby Aotearoa

  • 15 WEEKS AGO

    'Armchair athletes' berate Arundell's seriously impressive bench press

  • 16 WEEKS AGO

    Worcester Warriors - The End

View All

Funnies

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Mack Hansen gets Andy Farrell’s face tattooed on leg

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    "Hey Manie oh ah I wanna know if I can block that kick" – Munster's hilarious new song

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    Munster Rugby loving life in Cape Town Following URC Final Victory

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: La Rochelle Players Gate Crash O’Gara Interview

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Stade Rochelais Coaches With All-Time Coaches Box Celebration

View All

Amateur

  • 21 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 21 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 44 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 44 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 44 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Horrific footage has emerged of Mohamed Haouas attack on wife

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Mack Hansen gets Andy Farrell’s face tattooed on leg

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    French international receives prison sentence for attack on wife

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    John Afoa breaks record on return to Super Rugby

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Harry Potter to ‘disapparate’ to Australia

View All