MY ACCOUNT
England head coach Eddie Jones says rugby union’s laws are “out of control” after a high number of cards were again issued across this weekend’s Test matches.
Jones saw up close two players get sin-binned in England’s 25-17 win over Australia on Saturday as Marcus Smith and Izaia Perese were penalised for deliberate knock-ons.
The 62-year-old did not feel either player deserved to be issued a yellow card, which was also the general view of spectators watching on.
Referee Jaco Peyper was even more card happy in Ireland’s historic away win in New Zealand, meanwhile, dishing out three yellows and a red in the first half alone in Dunedin.
On the back of another day of contentious decisions, Jones has called for “common sense” to prevail from officials.
“The game’s out of control,” he said. “You saw the New Zealand and Ireland Test – at one stage, commentators couldn’t count how many players were on the field!
“You had three backs packing a scrum. We’ve gone the full hog where everything’s a red card, yellow card and there needs to be some common sense.
“I picked the referee’s pocket [before the game] – he had plenty of cards in it.”
While Jones was adamant neither Smith nor Perese should have been cautioned, opposite number Dave Rennie said he could understand the referee’s call.
“There’s no doubt Izzy is trying to catch it,” Rennie said. “It’s certainly different from an intentional slap down, but I have no issue with that decision.”
