Former Test referee Nigel Owens has weighed in on Ardie Savea’s hit on Jasper Wiese at Ellis Park.
The All Blacks captain escaped sanction after referee Matthew Carley reviewed his tackle on the Springbok No 8.
TMO Mike Adamson brought the incident to Carley’s attention, with replays showing Savea making contact with Wiese while in an upright position.
Carley ruled that Savea’s initial contact was with Wiese’s shoulder, with the subsequent head contact resulting from the force of the tackle.
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Owens believes the officials ultimately reached the correct decision, although he initially suspected Savea could be in trouble.
“To be fair to the TMO, when I was watching that live, I thought, ‘Oof, they’re going to check this’ because it looked high,” Owens said on World Rugby’s Whistle Watch.
“The key thing for me is this: the initial contact seems to be right on the shoulder and the South African No 8’s head goes forward into the New Zealand player because of the force of the tackle.
“Just remember, an upright tackle is not illegal as long as you’re not leading with the shoulder. An upright tackle is legal unless there’s contact with the head or neck.
“There isn’t that direct contact with the head or neck here, so it’s unlikely they will identify this as foul play.”
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However, Owens believes there was a very fine margin between a legal tackle and a potentially costly sanction for Savea.
“He’s very lucky because if he had been an inch higher and it’s direct contact to the head, you’re probably looking at a 20-minute red card,” he said.
“But, to be fair, a strong on-field decision by the referee.
“The key for me is the ball-carrier’s head goes into the tackler rather. I would say a very followable decision here.”
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Former Test referee Nigel Owens has weighed in on Ardie Savea’s hit on Jasper Wiese at Ellis Park.
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