World Cup referees under fire on opening weekend
Former top official Jonathan Kaplan says Australia’s Reece Hodge should have been red-carded for his tackle on Fiji’s Peceli Yato
22 September 2019 - 18:00
Sapporo — Former top referee Jonathan Kaplan said he had “absolutely no idea” how Australia’s Reece Hodge avoided a red card for his tackle on Fiji’s Peceli Yato as officials came under fire on the opening weekend of the Rugby World Cup.
Wallaby wing Hodge prevented Yato from scoring a try in the 26th minute of Australia’s tournament-opening 39-21 win on Saturday by blocking the flanker with a shoulder-led, no-arms challenge to the head that caused the Fijian to leave the field with concussion...
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