That's total bull. I'm so confused how I see that so totally differently to the ref and the judiciary. What is the definition of a spear tackle by the IRB? All I see is his shoulder blades and upper back that make first contact with the ground, which, yeah, is a rough tackle but not THAT bad?
I'm so confused I asked google and found
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugb...al/4759250.stm Nigel Owens reckons "A spear tackle is when you lift an opponent in the air, turn him upside down whilst in the air and force him or drop him to the ground head first." Sidey so turned him upside down, but he didn't drop him, or land on his head. One of three sins.