ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
REGISTER
LOGIN
ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
Sunday Jul 4, 2021

Fans approve after nasty high shot goes unpunished following debatable call

A decision not to punish a high tackle during Saturday’s international between the Maori All Blacks and Samoa has been seen as a positive by some fans and players.

ADVERTISEMENT

Chiefs centre Alex Nankivell made a clean break half way through the second half in Auckland when Samoa replacement D’Angelo Leuila put in a high shot on the 24-year-old.

The collision was nasty and following a TMO referral it was deemed to be direct contact to the head with force, however referee Mike Fraser did not punish Leuila because of mitigating circumstances.

On referral it appears that Nankivell trips prior to contact, which Fraser suggested left Leuila no time to adjust and because he was in position to make a legitimate tackle, no foul play had been committed.

Fraser explained to both captains on the pitch: “We have got some head contact however we do have a significant dip, the Samoa tackler is trying to make a legitimate tackle and he’s low and wrapping, so we’ve got no foul play. Yes there’s head contact, but it’s a significant drop so he can do no more.”

REACTION:

However despite getting away with this incident, Samoa’s Mamea Lemalu was sent to the bin moments earlier while flanker Sam Slade’s yellow card just before half time cost the the visitors.

ADVERTISEMENT

In the end it was the Maori all Blacks who won the game 38-21 and full match highlights are available below:

This result follows Samoa’s 35-10 defeat in the same fixture last weekend in Wellington and their next match will be a World Cup qualifier against Tonga.

Nankivell was a star performer in Saturday’s clash and has been in fine form for the Chiefs in recent games. He earned his debut for the club side in 2017 and has amassed 43 appearances since. Saturday was Nankivell’s fourth game for the Maori All Blacks.

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 62 WEEKS AGO

    New Zealand Rugby Brawl

  • 62 WEEKS AGO

    Must see all in brawl

  • 63 WEEKS AGO

    Shocking head shot in Ireland game sparks...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    South African schoolboy produces the greatest goosey in the sport

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible team try showcases thrills of the grassroots game

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Highlights video shows just why Vakatawa’s return is so highly anticipated

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Individual brilliance as player scores off his own kick off

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Match Report: Australia challenge the All Black HAKA in extraordinary test

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    Shocking record set to be broken at this year’s World Cup

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Tom Curry receives ban following red card tackle against Argentina

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Off the ball 'punches' being called out by fans following All Blacks vs Springbok match

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Scott Barrett's World Cup on the rocks following reckless shoulder charge

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Bizarre tackle school video divides viewers

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    Shocking record set to be broken at this year’s World Cup

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible team try showcases thrills of the grassroots game

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Dane Coles stunned as he hears news of Steve Hansen joining the Wallabies

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Moment of madness leads to incredible Springbok score

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Highlights video shows just why Vakatawa’s return is so highly anticipated

View All

Funnies

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    Irish players prove the work/life balance is possible even at a World Cup

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber offers ice cold response at the press conference

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Stone Cole’d: Dan Cole channels his inner Steve Austin in brilliant behind the scenes action

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Chaos ensues as off-field substitute is caught up in try scoring opportunity

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Springboks set to sing additional song post national anthem in future test matches

View All

Amateur

  • 38 WEEKS AGO

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

  • 38 WEEKS AGO

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

  • 61 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 61 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 62 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Incredible spreadsheet shows exactly how Scotland can progress to the quarter finals

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Makazole Mapimpi out of World Cup as world class centre drafted back in

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Raw power and camaraderie displayed as South Africa and Tonga came together in incredible match

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Springbok players pay tribute to incredible fans that support them around the world

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Springbok’s reign as world champions in peril as Dupont returns

View All