Jamie Heaslip argued that the specific wording used by Frank Murphy in his TMO deliberation with Andrew Brace was crucial in RG Snyman avoiding any serious punishment for a high tackle on Will Addison in the second minute of their URC Final Round clash with Ulster this evening.
The controversy began in the 8th minute of the game after an overthrown Munster line-out meant the ball spilled to Ulster's fullback Will Addison deep inside their five-metre area. Addison attempted, audaciously, to run the ball from inside his own dead-ball area, but was met by a fierce tackle from Munster's Stephen Archer and RG Snyman.
Initially, the tackle looked strong but fair. However, a quick replay showed the shoulder of Snyman colliding directly with the head of Will Addison. The fullback was then shown receiving treatment for the hit, as referee Frank Murphy was then referred to the TMO to review the tackle, checking for foul play.
TMO Andrew Brace showed numerous replays of the incident, in which footage clearly showed head contact from the shoulder of RG Snyman. Furthermore, the Munster second row made no clear attempt to wrap in the tackle, his arm tucked by his side.
Commentating on RTÉ, Donal Lenihan said the incident should have resulted in a "minimum yellow [card], it could be red even." After some deliberation, Frank Murphy decided to award Ulster a penalty, but no card was then shown to the Munster second row, much to the bemusement of many in the stadium and on social media.
TMO to check for foul play in the 3rd minute: 'Just a penalty says the ref'. Snyman high on the centre. That might not be the end of that.
Munster V Ulster
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📱 Live updates https://t.co/ZRNGfTuGc0 pic.twitter.com/mOsMgP3PeE— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 1, 2024
Many feel that the incident definitely warranted a card, and that there could be a debate on the colour of it. However, few could fathom the decision from Frank Murphy not to show Snyman a card.
I'll be generous and say that Snyman is incredibly fortunate there.#MUNvULS
— EK Rugby Analysis (@ek_rugby) June 1, 2024
That’s a stunning decision from the officials.
RG Snyman should absolutely not be still on the field.#MUNvULS— Andy McGeady (@andymcgeady) June 1, 2024
I'm sorry but that decision to only give pen against Snyman is a disgrace. An utter disgrace. Dominant hit, shoulder to head and arm tucked - surely a ref should be reprimanded for that kind of decision? #MUNvULS #UnitedRugbyChampionship
— Matt Cassidy (@Cass_maitias) June 1, 2024
I'll be generous and say that Snyman is incredibly fortunate there.#MUNvULS
— EK Rugby Analysis (@ek_rugby) June 1, 2024
READ HERE: A Late Try Completes Comeback On Hugo Keenan's Ireland 7s Return
Jamie Heaslip on how RG Snyman escaped punishment vs Ulster
Just minutes after RG Snyman's high hit on Will Addison, the second row helped Munster take the lead in the eighth minute, using his 6ft 7 frame to his advantage.
From phase play deep inside the Ulster 22', Snyman carried the ball aggressively into contact and gained a number of metres before stretching out his arm to reach for the try line. Initially called as "short" by Frank Murphy, a TMO review clearly showed the ball being grounded on the line in what was an impressive score from the Springbok.
However, many were quick to argue that he should not have been on the pitch in the first place.
Try for Munster in the 8th min for Snyman: 'How did he get that from there... he's like an octopus'.
14min: Munster 7-0 Ulster
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📱 Live updates https://t.co/ZRNGfTuGc0 pic.twitter.com/hONgKYYWST— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 1, 2024
Speaking at half-time, Jamie Heaslip shared the thoughts of many and was shocked by Frank Murphy's decision not to show a card of any type to RG Snyman for a clear shoulder to the head of Ulster's Will Addison. The former Leinster Number 8 had a theory as to how Snyman avoided any serious punishment, citing the specific wording of rugby's tricky laws.
For Heaslip, the fact that Murphy starts the process in describing the incident as a "low degree of danger" was crucial in the outcome of the TMO deliberation. Heaslip disagreed with Murphy's summation of the danger of the incident, and argued it had "quite a high level of danger".
Crucially, the fact that Murphy started the deliberation process by saying "low degree of danger", meant that when the tackle was slowed down and mitigation was factored in, the process allowed for Snyman to escape serious punishment. Heaslip argued that if Murphy described the tackles as carrying a "high risk of danger", mitigation could only lessen punishment to a yellow card.
Essentially, the referee's belief that the tackle was not a dangerous one meant that this guided the way in which he and the TMO discussed the incident and came to their final decision.
This subtle difference in wording was crucial for Snyman as he avoided a stint in the sin-bin for the high shoulder on Will Addison.
SEE ALSO: Fans Left Bemused As Head On Head Hit Only Given As Penalty In Super Rugby
