Sale Sharks boss questions Du Preez's red card
REACTION: Sale Sharks director of rugby Steve Diamond criticised the red card his forward Jean-Luc Du Preez was given during the team’s 13-20 defeat to Worcester Warriors.
The Sharks led at half-time courtesy of tries from scrumhalf Francois de Klerk and wing Chris Ashton.
However, just before the break, the Sharks were reduced to 14 when flank Jean-Luc du Preez was sent off for a shoulder charge.
In his attempt to execute a clear-out, Du Preez’s shoulder made contact with the face of Worcester’s Graham Kitchener, who needed medical attention.
However despite being knocked ‘unconscious’ Kitchener continued with the game, another decision which left Diamond very ‘surprised’.
“In fairness, I’ve only seen the incident from one angle and from the angle I have seen it’s not a red card,” Diamond told the Worcesternews after the match.
“But I have not seen the other side which may make it look worse,”
“The dismissal was a big game-changer as I thought we were in control of the game and it was frustrating to lose the big fellow [Du Preez] to such an innocuous clear-out,”
He added: “I am really surprised that they have not taken the kid [Kitchener] off straight away.
“He seemed to be out unconscious but carried on playing which amazed me.
“I hope he is OK, but he looked to be in a very bad way.
“He was certainly prone on the ground, but they allowed him to play on.”
#ICYMY: @fafdeklerk score not enough to save @SaleSharksRugby https://t.co/xPnPmeh3rV
— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) December 1, 2019
Sale fullback Simon Hammersley was also sin-binned in the first half for a high tackle on Melani Nanai.
“They [my players] are aware of that [the tackle rules] and I think we are the most disciplined side in the competition,” Diamond said.
“Hammersley was careless with that seatbelt tackle,”
Diamond added: “However, we have got to give credit to Worcester.
“To be fair they sucked us in, kicked the ball and made us field those kicks.
“They then found the space around the rucks and had a couple of offloads, so they did really well.
“I have got to be happy with one point.”
Sources: Worcester News
