Was Wannenburg cited for this?

I had never seen this before. Was Wannenburg cited for this alledged bite on Dylan Hartley.

Click HERE for the Video Clip.

What are your thoughts on it - does it merit a sanction or is it ok?

red_stag wrote:I had never seen this before. Was Wannenburg cited for this alledged bite on Dylan Hartley.

Click HERE for the Video Clip.

What are your thoughts on it - does it merit a sanction or is it ok?

I didn't watch the clip but i remember the incident. Wannenburg wasn't cited, not should he have been. Hartley stuck his in Wannenburgs mouth for god sake!

There was a lot of discussion at the time, but the citing commissioner neglected to take any action over it.

No but it was well discussed at the time and everyone agreed Hartley asked for it.

I think Hartley shoves his arm in his mouth, it's not actually clear if Wannenburg bites down on it! Hartley is a bit over-dramatic I feel.

On another note, is it legal to drag a player put of a maul by grabbing him around the head?

It's a shame it didn't prompt a discussion about grabbing players around the neck. It should never be allowed be it a ruck, maul or tackle.

Have to say I agree with all of you. Hartley shouldn't have been there in first place.

It's a shame it didn't prompt a discussion about grabbing players around the neck

Far too much of this occuring these days especially in rucks, there should also be a far bigger clamping down on grabbing players by their scrum cap as that seems to go on far to much. No rugby player would drag someone back by their hair so why should a scrum cap be fair game? It is also dangerous as the velcro strap can be pulled into the wind pipe.

Wannenburg should have done us all a favour and eaten him. His mini - me Chris Ashton would have made a nice dessert too.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

It's a shame it didn't prompt a discussion about grabbing players around the neck

Far too much of this occuring these days especially in rucks, there should also be a far bigger clamping down on grabbing players by their scrum cap as that seems to go on far to much. No rugby player would drag someone back by their hair so why should a scrum cap be fair game? It is also dangerous as the velcro strap can be pulled into the wind pipe.

Completely agree here. There are far too many headlocks and semi choke holds neing used in rucks and mauls at the moment.

If unintentional contact around the eye area is a citing offense then intentional contact with the throat should be too.

I know I shouldn't make light of potentially foul play but Hartley reminded me so much of my kids during that incident.

The one that comes running telling tales is often the chief instigator of the mischief.

I don't have sound here, but didn't the ref just reply "Well don't put your arm there, then" or words to that effect?

If he was bitten (questionable that he was), surely it doesn't matter what he did in the lead up to it. The likes of biting, stamping, punching, kneeing & gouging is often a retaliatory act to illegal play, but it still shouldn't be acceptable and should be punished accordingly. If need be, both parties should be cited, but such behaviour should never be allowed to slide, irrespective of your opinions of the people involved.

Very true radelven. Provocation isn't an excuse for violent play.

radelven wrote:If he was bitten (questionable that he was), surely it doesn't matter what he did in the lead up to it. The likes of biting, stamping, punching, kneeing & gouging is often a retaliatory act to illegal play, but it still shouldn't be acceptable and should be punished accordingly. If need be, both parties should be cited, but such behaviour should never be allowed to slide, irrespective of your opinions of the people involved.

Yeah, I agree. That said I can't tell from the clip whether or not Wannenburg intentionally bit him. And he doesn't appear to break the skin or leave a mark.

As much as I think biting has no place in the game (I'm sure everyone feels this way) I can see why they decided this didn't warrant a citing.

What I see is Dylan Hartley trying to force his hand/wrist into Wannenburg's mouth - I dont see much of a bite and Hartley then points to his arm which is unmarked - what an absolute tool.

If anything Hartley should of been cited for firstly pulling Wannenburg's neck back in a maul and then trying to drive his hand into Wannenburg's mouth, Hartley very lucky to get away without a citing really.

Artful_Dodger wrote:What I see is Dylan Hartley trying to force his hand/wrist into Wannenburg's mouth - I dont see much of a bite and Hartley then points to his arm which is unmarked - what an absolute tool.

If anything Hartley should of been cited for firstly pulling Wannenburg's neck back in a maul and then trying to drive his hand into Wannenburg's mouth, Hartley very lucky to get away without a citing really.

+1

Artful_Dodger wrote:What I see is Dylan Hartley trying to force his hand/wrist into Wannenburg's mouth - I dont see much of a bite and Hartley then points to his arm which is unmarked - what an absolute tool.

If anything Hartley should of been cited for firstly pulling Wannenburg's neck back in a maul and then trying to drive his hand into Wannenburg's mouth, Hartley very lucky to get away without a citing really.

Seriously? Why on earth would he be trying to put his hand in his mouth? To me it looked like Hartley was putting his arm across Wannenburg's face and pulling it back to disrupt him in the maul. You can clearly see Wannenburg's jaw move. Should have been cited and banned for about 30 mins for biting and the IRB/ERC/RFU should have issued a statement on headlocks. The worst ones are the twisting headlock you get at rucks. I'm sure it's very effective at stopping someone in the ruck but would have thought it was also very dangerous.

There is ZERO evidence of any bite in that clip. Hartley has shoved his forearm (intentionally or otherwise) into Wannenburgs mouth and is pulling back.