Saracens flanker Jacques Burger has long been known for his physicality, but it may have got him in trouble during his side’s European Rugby Champions Cup quarter-final against Racing Métro after a seemingly late hit on scrum-half Maxime Machenaud.
The incident below was not punished by the referee during the game, but a complaint has since been brought against him by the citing commissioner. Have a watch (Vine courtesy of Andy McGeady):
Burger’s case will be heard before a disciplinary panel on Thursday, but what do you make of the incident? Does the Namibian flanker deserve a ban? Vote in our poll and leave your thoughts below.
Loading ...Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
9 replies on “Poll: Should Jacques Burger be banned for this hit?”
I initially thought, nah, theres not much in that, but after seeing it a few times, I voted yes.
On first viewing it seemed not to be such an issue. It is only a little bit late, and appears to be “rough” rather than vicious. Not normally something that people would worry about after a game.
However, it is the head/neck area, for no apparent reason, from his blind side, and I believe that this fact combined with the deliberate lateness makes it a little bit more serious.
The thing is that now this is out in the open, he has to receive a ban, as otherwise would be to condone this action.
Even as a Sarries fan I can’t condone that. It’s late and as Blub said, in an area of the body which is particularly dangerous. I don’t think there is intent to harm the player, but maybe to dislodge the ball as he’s in the process of passing. I think the hit may have been lower, but as he’s passing the ball his body position changes, and Burger then takes him around the head.
A few similarities with the Hughes incident recently?
We have seen some serious brutal assaults on players in super rugby and this in comparison bears into insignificance so for me it would be no ban!
It wasn’t deliberately late, as the scrum half goes to pass Burger starts his tackle motion. Therefore under the laws of the game it is legal in so much as the tackle started before the tackled player released the ball. You could question the height of the tackle but as the player is on his knees that’s a red herring too. Not even worth a yellow card, just a talking to to say be careful in future. #itsatoughgame
Player is tackled and held. He is entitled to play the ball, be it by placing it or offloading it. However, you are not allowed to dive on a tackled player (off feet – penalty), therefore there’s no doubt that there’s foul play.
If he makes contact with the head/neck area then it is wreckless foul play and deserves more punishment than your standard penalty. Possibly a yellow?
I wouldn’t say that’s a sending off offence. Not at all. Therefore he’ll feel unfortunate to be banned after the event, although a one-match ban shows the citing commissioner didn’t see anything too horrific in the incident.
All hits on people who are already grounded are cheap shots. Just like knee dropping a player who has just scored a try. Should have been red carded. Unlike the hit on George North, which I thought was a genuine error.
If you were to ban Burger you would surely have to have banned Lawes against Plisson/glisson? Neither were illegal and the law is what you play to. Change the law if you want fine but as It stands no. As Haskell said you play the letter of the law not the slo-mo or something to that effect.
Players on the floor and Burger still manages a high tackle. Straight Red and a 12 month ban as a minimum. Rationale. Late; can’t call it a tackle; and illegal contact with a player on the floor; contact with a player that does not have the ball; reckless contact with head and neck etc……..
What total tosh. Even the disciplinary board appeared embarrassed in having to give any ban. Ridiculous comments