Elimas looks like he raised his elbow , but that could have been the camera angle
morleys hit him with his shoulder and his arm seemed to come up after nothing wrong with that one but thats only my opinion

one match for the french



[url=http://www.rugbyforumxiii.com/forum/download/file.php?id=34075VIDEO[/url

I honestly think Elima has been mistreated.

He went in with his arm down and shoulder charged a smaller guy. It's not his fault the guy tried to get past him with a step and hit his face rather than shoulder to shoulder.
Elima did not raise the elbow into the tackle, it only came up after the impact

Frankly it is another instance where the refereeing by a "neutral" (ahem) referee has been completey surreal.
First after a great start by the Dragons, leading 8-0, all the decisions went suddenly against them, with 4 penalties and a red card, which basically gives the match to the Saints after 20 minutes of a disputed game.
Then, once the Dragons were getting battered at 12 versus 13, Ganson nicely evened the penalty count, awarding 7 penalties to 3 to the Dragons. Frankly I don't understand why a team scoring a try every 5 minutes with a sure victory would have a discipline worse than when they were trailing in the game. However, I surely understand how a referee can care about an even penalty count. End result, penalty count 8-8...

The truth is, referees are humans and Ganson has naturally more sympathy for the Saints players he knows personally better. When Lomax falls on the ground, Ganson must certainly feel for the player more than if any of the Dragons' player was in a same situation. How can you think that this does not affect his judgement? I think that if the same situation had been reversed, Ganson would have certainly taken more time to make a decision, ask the touch judge, etc,...

There are no French or English referees in France-England matches in the six nations for a reason, but in SL referees must apparently just be so much better that this issue is a non starter...

Maybe you can take this even further and suggest that Elima has only received a ban for the tackle in an attempt to 'justify' Ganson giving him a straight red?
If the incident had been reviewed and deemed sending off sufficient, many people may see that as an indication that it probably didn't deserve a red card. That's certainly how I've perceived these instances in the past.

By giving Elima a further match ban they're covering their backs regarding the whole 'Ganson refereeing his home club' situation.

Incredibly cynical I know, but you never know!

I trust there is some sort of video conferencing facility used by the disciplinary committee when Catalans players are brought before the beak (i.e. most weeks)?

Otherwise I wouldn't mind some of Elima's air miles, especially if he appeals!