The stadium commentary?

[antiussentiment]

I think it's probably inappropriate, but I did find the stadium commentator "coaching the Reff" pretty humorous...

...and I did laugh out loud when he "said goodbye" to who ever it was that got a yellow card late in the 2nd half.

[Leo86]

I think it's probably inappropriate, but I did find the stadium commentator "coaching the Reff" pretty humorous...

...and I did laugh out loud when he "said goodbye" to who ever it was that got a yellow card late in the 2nd half.

I had no issues with it. All a part if Home Ground advantage.

I laughed when he commented that the ref finally awarded something the Force's way.

I like there being some atmosphere at the stadium as opposed to being a Tennis/Golf silence

[shasta]

We were wondering about that. At the time it seemed like the officials reacted very late to the RC incident. Sir was back at half way and gave the review signal after the announcer had a whinge. Anyone with "sports ears" got a clarification?

In any event I really wish someone would explain to him how an amplifier works. Seemed louder than usual, particularly pre-game. Our group is very near a speaker though, so I'm definitely going to deploy hearing protection next time.

[palitu]

I expect that it got called by the tmo or he saw it on a replay.

In my mind it should have been straight red, and it was knee to the head, direct impact, high degree of danger, diving onto a player in the ground... And no wrap!

There was nothing about the incident that was legal and should have been straight.

Are they allowed to replace a straight red after 20mins still?

[Leo86]

I expect that it got called by the tmo or he saw it on a replay.

In my mind it should have been straight red, and it was knee to the head, direct impact, high degree of danger, diving onto a player in the ground... And no wrap!

There was nothing about the incident that was legal and should have been straight.

Are they allowed to replace a straight red after 20mins still?

No, I believe straight red is removal of player and no replacement.

Yellow upgraded to red, removal of player and replacement after 20min from time of incident

[tjs10]

No, I believe straight red is removal of player and no replacement.

Yellow upgraded to red, removal of player and replacement after 20min from time of incident

https://super.rugby/superrugby/news/shape-of-game-refinement-a-focus-for-super-rugby-pacific-in-2025/

The ref wasn't aware (in real time) of the head contact after the try.
The TMO flagged it in subsequent review and alerted the ref to the incident.

[palitu]

No, I believe straight red is removal of player and no replacement.

Yellow upgraded to red, removal of player and replacement after 20min from time of incident

I honestly think that it should have been a straight red. There was nothing legal in the actions, and a flying knee to the head is very dangerous. Unless i am mistaken about what a straight red entails, ie a headbutt or similar, sliding into a player on the ground, knees first, directly to the head should always be a straight red.

There is literally no mitigation to it.

I think part of the speed up the game and let the TMO decide after means that these sorts of incidents are not considered properly.

EDIT:
Upon reviewing the details that tsj10 linked to:

A full red card sanction, in which the player is removed from the match and not replaced, is still applicable when foul play is deemed deliberate and with a high level of danger.

It seems that it would be a red-card on review, as I do not believe that it is deliberate. so i guess the ref was correct (damnit! )

[Valz]

I think it's probably inappropriate, but I did find the stadium commentator "coaching the Reff" pretty humorous...

...and I did laugh out loud when he "said goodbye" to who ever it was that got a yellow card late in the 2nd half.

Also when “scrum collapsed by the Force apparently” LOL

[GIGS20]

I expect that it got called by the tmo or he saw it on a replay.

In my mind it should have been straight red, and it was knee to the head, direct impact, high degree of danger, diving onto a player in the ground... And no wrap!

There was nothing about the incident that was legal and should have been straight.

Are they allowed to replace a straight red after 20mins still?

I think straight red requires an indication of intent.

While reckless, dangerous and late with head contact I'm not confident there was enough of an indication that he was trying to knee Potts in the head.

He WAS however charging in significantly late to square Potts up well after the try was scored, so maybe that's enough intent.

[GIGS20]

https://super.rugby/superrugby/news/shape-of-game-refinement-a-focus-for-super-rugby-pacific-in-2025/

The ref wasn't aware (in real time) of the head contact after the try.
The TMO flagged it in subsequent review and alerted the ref to the incident.

You often see it, refs have another look when the chorus of boos gets loud enough for them to think they might have missed something.