In a development that left England fans exasperated, Springbok sensation Jesse Kriel avoided any consequences for a tackle that bore a striking resemblance to the one that saw Tom Curry being sent off.
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The incident unfolded during Curry’s return to the pitch following his absence since the Premiership final, as referee Matthieu Raynal brandished the red card a mere three minutes into the game against Argentina.
Curry’s expulsion stemmed from a perceived dangerous tackle on Puma’s full-back, Juan Cruz Mallia, who had leaped into the air to secure a high ball.
One fan wrote on the South Africa stars tackle: “Don’t want to hear us South African fans moaning about a supposed anti-Bok bias. Jesse Kriel very lucky not to have seen a red card.”
A second commented: “No TMO review for Jesse Kriel’s tackle on Jack Dempsey.”
Linebreak Rugby added: “Explain how Kriel‘s tackle is different from Curry’s (3 marks)”
Another said: “How’s that Kriel one any different to what Curry did yesterday?”
“Kriel‘s in trouble from that standing tackle. Looked like a head clash,” commented a fifth.
A sixth tweeted: “Let me get this right….TMO called deliberate knock on Finn, but somehow didn’t see the head to head on the Kriel tackle even though we all did???”
“Abject” – Three England players Steve Borthwick must change, and who should replace them
Despite this triumph, there remains room for improvement in England’s starting lineup, and we believe that Borthwick should consider implementing three changes to further enhance the team’s prospects moving forward.
#1. Tom Curry
Telegraph 2/10: “The flanker was overeager in defence after an injury, red-carded after a TMO bunker review for a slightly unfortunate head-on-head collision in the third minute.”
RUCK 0/10: “Sent off after just two minutes. Some may say unlucky, but the flanker really left the officials no choice.”
Planet Rugby 1/10: “Some said he was unlucky, but ultimately he was high in contact and paid the price. Fortunately, his team-mates bailed him out. “
Rugby Pass 0/10: “Was hailed in the build-up as the potential missing link for the England defence as he arrived in France without playing a single minute of the four-game Summer Nations Series. That idea quickly went out the window, though. “
The Guardian 2/10: “Palpably fired up before the match, having not played since May, but lasted less than three minutes before a red card, via the bunker, for an overzealous tackle on Juan Cruz Mallía.”
Replacement: Jack Willis