World Rugby have confirmed that Samoan pair Rey Lee-Lo and Motu Matu’u have been cited for high tackles during their 34-9 win over Russia yesterday.
The organisation have noted that both tackles have been deemed as “acts of foul play contrary to Law 9.13 (dangerous high tackle)” and they will now have to wait and what the respective punishment will be.
What will annoy fans the most is how referee Roman Poite checked both tackles with the TMO and at first said that both warranted red cards. However, after checking the footage and having a lengthy discussion with the TMO decided that due to certain factors both were yellow card offences.
Ironically during the game World Rugby released a statement which claimed that over the opening weekend of the tournament that the referees were not up their normal high standards and this has only added to that.
Meanwhile, Samoan winger Ed Fidow, who scored a couple of tries during the game has also been warned by World Rugby after throwing a punch in the match.
Although Russia failed to make their advantage count during the time when both players were in the sin-bin, going on to lose by 25-points, people will wonder if it could have been a different game had the referee given red cards, especially to Lee-Lo who went on to score a five-pointer of his own.
Samoa will hope that neither will receive lengthy bans as they look to build on their bonus-point win when they take on Scotland next Monday in what could be an interesting game depending on the outcome of Saturday’s clash between Ireland and Japan.
