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All Blacks captain Kieran Read gets away with cheap shot against Springboks

Sep 23rd, 2019
All Blacks captain Kieran Read gets away with cheap shot against Springboks
Sep 23rd, 2019

While the rugby world is raging about the validity of Reece Hodge's contentious tackle on Fiji's Peceli Yato during Australia's World Cup opener, it appears All Blacks captain Kieran Read has escaped sanction for an egregious hit during his side's victory over the Springboks.

As Hodge was cited for the tackle on Yato more than 24 hours after the match had finished, fans and commentators have been left wondering why Read wasn't identified in a similar fashion to the Australian winger.

Rugby World Cup's governing body is now under pressure to explain why Read wasn't dealt with by the referee or the citing commissioner for his off the ball high shot on South Africa's Pieter-Steph du Toit.

Minutes after halftime, Springbok flanker du Toit tried to break free moments after the line out had dispersed, attempting to tackle All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith after the Kiwis won a line-out.

As du Toit reaches out to grab Smith, Read can been seen reaching out and making a grab for the Springboks breakaway around the neck but it was missed by the on field referee, the assistants and the TMO.

Bridge gets All Blacks opener

The moment wasn't missed by South African journalist Brenden Nel, who uploaded the tackle onto social media, with fans up in arms over the double standards and the lack of consistency across the board during the opening set of fixtures at the World Cup.

There were also questions raised over Read's comments to referee Jerome Garces during the first half, when the All Blacks skipper allegedly called the referee "gutless".

Debate raged among rugby fans online over the perceived favouritism shown to the All Blacks but then there were claims of high tackles on All Black Ardie Savea that also went unpunished.

In other All Blacks news, coach Steve Hansen said he was satisfied that World Rugby's governing body had changed its rules following an incident with Sam Cane.

Cane wasn't allowed back on the field after passing his test for concussion symptoms, raising the ire of the three-time world champions following their 23-13 victory in Yokohama.

A groggy-looking Cane was instructed to undergo an HIA during halftime by the independent match doctor and a total of 15 minutes passed before he could return.

"We've had a notification that they're going to modify the time-keeping so instead of it happening when they say there's going to be a test, the clock doesn't start until you get to the actual room itself," Hansen said.

"Sam had to go to the other side of the stadium basically and then do the test so it wasn't any fault of his.

"We're here to look after the athlete so they've modified it which is great; good response. They've shown good leadership and changed it."

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