ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Geordan Murphy claims rugby has 'gone too PC' after Will Spencer's straight red card

BY Grant Constable  ·  Monday Sep 17, 2018

Leicester Tigers coach Geordan Murphy has said that rugby has “gone too PC” after second rower Will Spencer was sent off for his challenge on Wasps hooker Tommy Taylor. A man up, Wasps won the match 41-35. Spencer will face a disciplinary hearing this week.

ADVERTISEMENT

Spencer made the high tackle shortly before half time in the eight-try contest, incensing new coach Murphy as well as captain Tom Youngs, who could be heard saying “Rugby’s changed” just after the red card was shown by referee Ian Tempest.

Despite having some time to cool down, Murphy then followed up with a post match interview on BT Sport where he said “I think the games gone a little bit too PC” [politically correct] and touched on the fact that Spencer is extremely tall and struggled to get down that low to make a legal tackle.

He said that his ‘solution’ will be to pick players under five foot, which will make it very difficult to referee.

According to the laws right now, the decision appeared to be correct, as Spencer’s shoulder did hit Taylor’s face. Intent does not come into the equation.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tigers lock will have to face a disciplinary hearing in Bristol on Tuesday evening.

In the UK, you can see the full incident here. Non-UK viewers can see it in the highlights wrap below

Wasps coach Dai Young had sympathy for Spencer, but felt it was the correct call.

“We’ve had the directive that any tackle direct to the head is a red card. It’s harsh and I’d have been disappointed if it was on our side, but I totally understand.

“I don’t think it’s something the referee should be criticised for. If it was a yellow card I wouldn’t have complained about it. I hope the player doesn’t get banned for it. It’s difficult to get that 100 per cent right every time.

“We have to protect the players. The guys who are saying the game’s gone soft are guys who are not out there,” he said.

Below are the full match highlights, including the incident (at 1:07)

credit: btsport/premiershiprugby

Related Articles

  • 45 WEEKS AGO

    Fiji Drua player Lomani slapped with ban...

  • 54 WEEKS AGO

    The sending off that rocked the Six Nations...

  • 55 WEEKS AGO

    Wrecking ball beats 10 players to score full...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Flying frenchman scores tremendous try for Toulon

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Young England hopeful continues to impress with double against Stade Français

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Full throttle Premiership final rematch ends in heartache

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Kildunne finishes off STUNNING team try

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 12 WEEKS AGO

    Wallabies wunderkind Sua'ali' and Scotland captain Tuipulotu clash

  • 13 WEEKS AGO

    Ireland 'steal' Argentina's opening try as debate rages

  • 15 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 1 HOUR AGO

    'A few nuts and bolts out' - Eden Park streaker sheds boxers to achieve goal

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    SHOCK results in the PWR keeps top four race thrilling

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Kildunne finishes off STUNNING team try

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Supporters can't believe Saracens Sharp's UNBELIEVABLE finish

View All

Funnies

  • 1 HOUR AGO

    'A few nuts and bolts out' - Eden Park streaker sheds boxers to achieve goal

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Nightmare blunder from Exeter winger as try goes wanting

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    'A dog with a mallet up its arse could’ve written Johnny’s book' Donnacha O'Callaghan

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    ‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    U.S. Army Special Operations Sergeant Major makes big claim about rugby

View All

Amateur

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Nightmare blunder from Exeter winger as try goes wanting

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 110 WEEKS AGO

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

  • 110 WEEKS AGO

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

  • 133 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

View All

Player Features

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    The Capuozzo try that jump-started Italy's victory

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    RugbyDump's top five backrows in 2024

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    ‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Marcus Smith makes big call on his future

  • 13 WEEKS AGO

    'Eligible for England' - Fans react to South African star's contract announcement

View All