Heading into the 2013 Premiership final against resurgent Leicester, Dylan Hartley’s bags were already packed for the British and Irish Lions of Australia. What could possibly go wrong?
Despite earlier warnings, Hartley issued a volley of abuse – he always maintained it was not directed at referee Wayne Barnes, but Barnes saw otherwise, and issued him a red card. Leicester went on to win 37-17.
While Hartley headed home, rather than to Hong Kong, and was subsequently issued an 11-week ban and found guilty of calling referee Wayne Barnes a ‘****ing cheat’
Reacting to the incident, one viewer wrote: “Regardless of whether you like the referee or not, it is the correct decision and excellent refereeing in this case. Don’t blame the referee for the red card, blame the player for not keeping his mouth shut,:
“Well Done Wayne Barnes! Just like Hartley, he trained most of his life to be in that position and he’s not there to be called a cheat…” said a second.
A third wrote: “You got exactly what you deserved Dylan.. My sympathy is for the Saints fans who looked forward to their special day and were deprived of at least equality of “arms” by very poor discipline and leadership,”
RED CARD:
Dylan Hartley facts:
- Hartley captained England to the Grand Slam in 2016, the first time that England had done this since 2003, and to a 3–0 series win in the 2016 Cook Cup against Australia
- Hartley was born one of three boys (his brothers are Blair and Alex) in Rotorua, a largely rural area in northern New Zealand
- He is England’s most capped hooker (97) of all time, earning his first cap in 2008
- Hartley is currently the Director of Rugby for the Dubai Sharks R.F.C in the United Arab Emirates
- During his early days in England Hartley swapped positions from prop to hooker
RANKED | The 5 Dirtiest Rugby Players in History
There is a fine line between being an aggressive, hard nosed player and a dirty one. With some players it is difficult to distinguish whether or not they are simply playing with grit and determination
Here are, in RUCK’s opinion, the 5 dirtiest rugby players in history.
5. Danny Grewcock
A second row with something of a short fuse. Picked up a five-week ban after being sent off for kicking All Blacks hooker Anton Oliver in a Test in Dunedin in 1998, two weeks for punching Lawrence Dallaglio in a club match in 2003, two months for biting All Black hooker Keven Mealamu during the first Lions Test in 2005, six weeks for punching French lock Thibault Privat in 2007, and seven weeks for stamping on Ulster flanker Stephen Ferris in 2010. Knew his way to the disciplinary offices and deserves his place among the dirtiest rugby players!