Scotland staring at the Wooden Spoon as fans rage over Duhan van der Merwe red card
Gregor Townsend’s worst nightmare was realised yesterday as one of his star Scotland players Duhan van der Merwe picked up a red card during the Six Nations fallow week for Worcester Warriors.
Van der Merwe has probably been Scotland’s most consistent performer so far this Six Nations, but is now likely to face a ban after being dismissed in the second half against London Irish yesterday for leading with the forearm to the head of tackler Kyle Rowe.
He will no probably miss trips to Italy and Ireland, meaning Scotland could find themselves in a precarious position come the end of the Championship. Bizarrely, the player who could benefit most from the red card was actually Rowe himself, as it may lead to his Scotland debut.
Fans have raged online about the decision, saying it was simply a hand-off. Here are some of the comments on Twitter from those who thought it was not a red:
“Legitimate handoff that. Poor tackling technique.”
“Oh dear…really? Not funny but thats a hand off slightly mistimed. How is that red?”
“Interesting one. I don’t believe it’s not a penalty. I also don’t believe it’s a red card. Yellow card (or just penalty) for me.”
“The games going soft – No ways in hells that is a red. Is it even a penalty.”
Here are some from those that think it was a red:
“It’s about changing player behaviour. We had all this “going soft” nonsense over players taking out in the air. Consistent application of the law, you hardly ever see it happen dangerously now. This will be the same.”
“The way you know it wasn’t ‘just a hand-off’ is that he doesn’t touch him with his hand.”
“Red card at every level of rugby. Primary school, varsity cup, currie cup, world cup.”
Read some of the comments here:
Duhan van der Merwe’s red card against London Irish
He could miss Scotland’s #GuinnessSixNations match against Italy next week.#SaffasAbroad pic.twitter.com/njQWxUjbml
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) March 5, 2022
Take a look at the incident:
