Vancouver Leyther wrote:I said on a facebook post the moment I saw this tackle that it was a straight red because,
1. Direct and forceful contact to the head with the left shoulder.
2. The head is first point of contact, no deflection from the ball or any other source.
3. Trout is a tall guy and has not lost significant height or is in the process of significantly losing height in the tackle,
4. Vaughn is stood almost upright and promoting his left shoulder into contact with the head, and the left arm is not in the process of wrapping as he makes contact.
5. Trout’s head clearly jolts forcefully backwards as contact is made.
6. Vaughn follows up with a forearm to the head/face once Trouts head is against the ground, compounding the potential for injury after the initial forceful head contact.
7. Trout is clearly stunned as the trainer talks to him. The fact that he cleared concussion protocol tests subsequently means he was fit to return to the field of play later, not fit to stay on the field at the time.
Burgess should be hauled up and made an example of. What he said not only called in to question the honesty and integrity of Trout and all the Leigh players, it also showed a total lack of respect to the referee, video referee, and the RFL. At a time when spectators are being constantly reminded ( and rightfully so) of the need for respect to referees and all persons at rugby grounds, how can he go on sky and be allowed to say what he did without sanction.
And then they have the cheek to go to the appeal and plead guilty and ask for a reduced sentence !!!
They had a warning when Harrison was sent off against Saints, also for failing to bend into the tackle. Burgess for some reason thought that would be a yellow as well. Maybe if more people read the rules...
