Player welfare versus flow of the game, Ireland’s own Beauden Barrett and England kicking on with an All Blacks tactic
Early this season officials were hard on players whose acts risked causing a head injury. It led to a flurry of cards and bans but then came a World Rugby directive that the TMO should be used sparingly so games did not become addled by hold-ups. As a result, when Stuart Hogg was taken out by Peter O’Mahony and Rory Best, no penalty was awarded and there was no review; nor was there for any of the thumping challenges on Johnny Sexton. Hogg lasted 16 minutes and Sexton 23. Player welfare has been relegated below the flow of a game. Paul Rees
Related: Greig Laidlaw lambasts referee Romain Poite after Stuart Hogg is injured
Team of the weekend
Continue reading...