The red cards on the weekend are indicative of what I can't stand in rugby. That Levi/Harrison incident was the first decent biff of the season, why'd they have to send someone off?? Ditto with Tuiali'i, the way he got sent-off for barely touching someone was DISTURBINGLY reminiscent of a soccer send-off.
Having had a good look at the Levi/Harrison thing, it all started when they emerged from a ruck, and Levi was pointing his finger at Harrison and mouthing off, obviously as the result of some typical Harrison niggle. Harrison started yapping back, as he does, and he sort of ran past Levi, obviously with the intent of rarking him up a bit. Levi gave him a bit of an arm/elbow to the face, which was deemed to be what started the incident, although there was nothing in it, it was more a "f*ck off" gesture, then an actual elbow or punch. Harrison really initiated the fight by then chasing Levi out of the play, grabbing him, and holding him by the jersey for the best part of 10 seconds, refusing to let go and generally mouthing off. Levi eventually thought "f*ck this" and let a little right hand go, and it was on.
What really pisses me off is the way rugby refs are so card-happy, but are completely willing to allow niggle. As soon as someone throws a punch, that's it, red card. What it means is that players can grab, poke, nudge, and shove all day, but they can't sort it out. A-grade knobs like Harrison can give their opposing players grief all day, and can get away with anything as long as they don't throw the first punch.
