Farrell's tackle: fair or foul?

VIDEO: England’s 12-11 win over South Africa might have only one try but it delivered some very controversial moments.

There was drama right at the end when, with 80 minutes on the clock, referee Angus Gardner consulted the television match official to see if flyhalf Owen Farrell had committed an illegal ‘no-arms’ tackle on Springbok replacement Andre Esterhuizen.

The Australian official could have awarded South Africa a penalty which, had it gone over, would have seen the visitors snatch victory in the opening match of their European tour.

But Gardner, despite World Rugby’s current crackdown on dangerous play, eventually decided against penalising Farrell’s challenge, even though it appeared the England co-captain was leading with his shoulder.

That, however, may not be the end of the matter with citing commissioner Keith Brown – who is himself from New Zealand – having 24 hours from Saturday’s final whistle to decide if further disciplinary action should be taken.

AFP & rugbypass