The Australia wing was red-carded for a high tackle after just five minutes – but the Wallabies won the match and the series
Marika Koroibete sent off against France
Marika Koroibete was sent off just five minutes into Australia’s decisive third Test against France in Brisbane – but the Wallabies came through to win the match 33-30 and the series 2-1.
Wallabies wing Koroibete was red-carded by referee Ben O’Keeffe for a high tackle on France captain Anthony Jelonch.
Jelonch was receiving an Australian restart when he was tackled by Koroibete and the TMO came in to review the incident.
The officials ruled that it was foul play, with Koroibete making direct contact with Jelonch’s neck/head after coming in to make the tackle from distance and with force while there was no significant drop in height from Jelonch to mitigate.
Koroibete was sent off by O’Keeffe – the Kiwi who will referee the second Test between South Africa and the British & Irish Lions 2021 – while Jelonch went for an HIA.
Marika Koroibete is gone for the night ?
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— StanSportAU (@StanSportAU) July 17, 2021
Related: Do red cards ruin rugby as a spectacle?
The incident sparked controversy on social media, with a lot of people disagreeing with the decision and unimpressed with Jelonch’s reaction to the tackle.
Shoulder into shoulder as @seanny202 called. Play on. Koroibete excellent hit. #AUSvFRA @StanSportAU #rugby
— Ben Kimber (@benkimber) July 17, 2021
Wow, that’s a really tough call on Koroibete. I understand the contact was high but yellow card would’ve been fair. Ball carrier did lower his height after taking the ball, that’s mitigating factor. Completely changes the match #AUSvFRA
— Jamie Pandaram (@JamiePandaram) July 17, 2021
Great tackle. Commentators called Shoulder into shoulder and can’t agree more. Play on. Koroibete great hit Great diving from the French 8 Should have been playing Euro21
— Owen Finegan (@OwenFinegan) July 17, 2021
That’s a ridiculous ? for Koroibete in #AUSvFRA. A proper “game’s gone” moment for Rugby Union.
— kevinchesters (@hairychesters) July 17, 2021
Others believed it was the right call given World Rugby’s current clampdown on dangerous high tackles.
Related: Rugby red cards – sanctions for head contact explained
Thought, according to the framework, O'Keefe got that Koroibete red card correct.
Only mitigation was a slight dip from France's No 8. But was that significant enough? Koroibete was still driving up with his tackle.
— Dylan Jack (@dylmjack) July 17, 2021
Koroibete hit him when he was nearly at full height. Poor technique and a poor decision. The fact the ref had to make that call is entirely his own fault.
Jelonch play acting was pathetic, but it's an irrelevance. Was a yellow card regardless #AUSvFRA
— Notes from the Openside (@NOpenside) July 17, 2021
Poor commentary from the match commentators on #AUSvFRA to the sending off of Koroibete for a high & dangerous tackle on Jelonch. @thepaulwilliams
— Alisdair Hogg (@ajshogg) July 17, 2021
Correct decision under current law.
It's a simple mandate for defenders at present – aim lower. Koroibete is still trying to smoke a guy in the chest, and that leaves him the small margin for error that now has him getting first use of the hot water. https://t.co/v0gNdZw2A5
— Ryan Nixon (@NewYorkNixon) July 17, 2021
Red cards have been a regular talking point in the northern hemisphere this year as the new framework regarding head-high contact has resulted in more sendings off.
What did you think of the Koroibete decision? Was a red card the right call? Email rugbyworldletters@futurenet.com or get in touch via social media.
The Wallabies dealt with the numerical disadvantage well in the first half and the scores were level 20-20 at the break.
WHAT A LINE, Michael Hooper ?
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— StanSportAU (@StanSportAU) July 17, 2021
Cameron Woki goes over the top and SLAMS it down ?
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— StanSportAU (@StanSportAU) July 17, 2021
Then France took the lead early in the second period with this brilliant long-range try.
France go END-TO-END ⚡
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— StanSportAU (@StanSportAU) July 17, 2021
Taniela Tupou went over from close range to level things up at 27-27, with just under half an hour to go – and then it came down to the kickers, just as the first two Tests of the series had.
TUUUUPOUUUUUU ?
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— StanSportAU (@StanSportAU) July 17, 2021
Australia won the first with a late Noah Lolesio penalty and France the second with a late Melvyn Jaminet penalty.
It was the same two kickers exchanging penalties in the final ten minutes of this match, with Lolesio’s three points in the 78th minute decisive. Australia held out the French in the closing minutes for a three-point win, which sealed the series.
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