Queensland Reds lock Angus Blyth had his game against the Brumbies cut short after he was sent off for a challenge on winger Corey Toole on Friday.
Blyth’s actions could result in a hefty ban, with his tackle during the Super Rugby Pacific clash widely criticised.
Angus Blyth’s red card
In the ninth minute, the Brumbies were pressing just outside the Reds’ 22 before flanker Liam Wright claimed a turnover.
Jock Campbell cleared up field with Toole tearing back to collect the ball with no backfield cover for the Brumbies.
The wing returned the kick but was tackled by Blyth while doing so, with the lock making contact with his head.
The challenge also ended Toole’s game, with the wing failing his HIA.
pic.twitter.com/VzCYDURQGM
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) April 7, 2023
Referee Ben O’Keeffe initially issued a yellow card to Blyth for the incident, but the TMO upgraded it to a red later on.
‘Stupidest way you can tackle’
Fans and pundits did not pull any punches in reaction to Blyth’s action.
Rugby writer Jamie Wall dubbed the tackle as stupid.
“This should be upgraded to red simply for being about the stupidest way you can tackle someone:” Wall tweeted.
This should be upgraded to red simply for being about the stupidest way you can tackle someone: pic.twitter.com/QBY96zj47w
— Jamie Wall (@JamieWall2) April 7, 2023
He added in a reply that “And it was. Good job refs.” once the TMO upgraded Blyth’s yellow.
“Disgusting tackle from Blyth hope he gets banned for 4 weeks.” quipped another onlooker.
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The Roar editor Christy Doran couldn’t believe it was not a red card immediately.
“Cannot believe that’s not a straight red. No way there’s enough mitigation to be downgraded.
Angus Blyth surely won’t return despite his yellow card. Shocking late hit. Head wasn’t up. Corey Toole looked in all sorts.”
Cannot believe that’s not a straight red. No way there’s enough mitigation to be downgraded.
Angus Blyth surely won’t return despite his yellow card. Shocking late hit. Head wasn’t up. Corey Toole looked in all sorts.
— Christy Doran (@ChristypDoran) April 7, 2023
Another fan tweeted, “That’s a cheap shot of the highest order.”
Nasty hit on Toole 🤯
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— Stan Sport Rugby (@StanSportRugby) April 7, 2023
Super Rugby Pacific red card trial
Any incident of foul play, that contains dangerous actions, that is adjudicated at a yellow card level on field will automatically be reviewed by the TMO during the 10-minute period the player is off the field.
The TMO will follow existing laws and law application guidelines for specific incidents to determine the correct sanction for the incident. The possible sanctions are:
– Yellow card sanction in which the player is entitled to return at the conclusion of the 10-minute period; or
– Red card sanction in which the player would be removed from the match but would be permitted to be replaced after 20 minutes from the time of the incident.