When tackles like Courtney Lawes' on Plisson in the Six Nations creates a debate about physicality in rugby, and the rugby consensus was that it's a physical sport and get on with it. Other times though, a punch is thrown. It was rightly reviewed on television replays by the officials, but somehow went completely unpunished by the referee despite several punches and forearms to the head and a headbutt. All full with intent.
Northampton ended up losing terribly with a scoreline of 37 points to five, with Clermont strolling into the semi final to face either Racing Metro or Saracens.
It's clear that the substitute prop Alex Waller was frustrated with the pasting that his team were taking from Clermont, but this isn't how to channel one's frustration:
People were understandably confused by the decision, which we can't figure out either at all:
Sorry, what?
NO CARD?
That is completely, utterly wrong.— Andy McGeady (@andymcgeady) April 4, 2015
That has to be red.
— Arwel Jones (@agjones92) April 4, 2015
How can the referee not penalise that! Alex Waller should have seen red for punching.
— richard mulligan (@r_mulligan1) April 4, 2015
