The incident came in the 79th minute when giant South African second row Etzebeth used his thumb to gouge the eye of Wales flanker Alex Mann.
It was clear to all and even the acerbic South African coach, Rassie Erasmus, when asked what he made of the action, stated, “I don’t know what I can say that isn’t controversial. It didn’t look good. It was a justified red card.”
No one questioned whether the eye was gouged!
The penalty could have ranged from 12 weeks to four years. (I know players in their 60s who have problems with an eye that was gouged during their playing careers.)
World Rugby agreed it was an intentional act and the decision was a 12-week ban. So, Etzebeth can sit on the beach in Durban for three months and recuperate.
At a time when concussion legal action is moving towards the courts, with over 1,300 plaintiffs, World Rugby’s decision is unbelievable. What are Sunday morning game parents going to think?
A nationwide survey organised by the Rugby Union in England identified that fewer schools are playing rugby, and numbers attending mini and junior sessions on Sunday morning are declining. That will continue if ill discipline is treated so lightly.
Meanwhile, the scuffle between England flanker Tom Curry and Argentinian coach Felipe Contepomi in the tunnel at Allianz Stadium after their Nov 22 clash resulted in a no case to answer. Contepomi claimed he was shoved! Well, was he?
On to more pertinent matters. The World Cup 2027 draw has been made. The top two sides in the current rankings are drawn to meet in the semi-final. How can that be? There are six groups of four. After that, you will need AI to work it out. If all goes to plan, England will meet South Africa in the final. Don’t mention that to New Zealand, Australia, France, Argentina and Ireland.
Elsewhere, the Investec Champions Cup teams commenced battle. There are four pools of six. Saracens, Bath, La Rochelle and Bordeaux Begles head the respective pools after round one. It is hard to look beyond French giants Toulouse as eventual winners, but Bath will present a strong English challenge alongside Ireland’s previous winners, Leinster.
Closer to home, the annual Chiang Mai 11’s produced a first tournament win for Moni Plus Nova Rugby Club from Papua New Guinea. I think they will win many more with their exciting, powerful running.
Wherever you live, enjoy your rugby.
The Global Rugby Coach, Mike Penistone, is a globally renowned professional rugby coach based in Phuket who is also an ambassador for the Asia Center Foundation, a charity for disadvantaged children. For more information visit: www.rugbycoachingconsultancy.com.