South Africa star Jasper Wiese has been slammed for a “horrible” act in his final game for Leicester Tigers.
On the final day of the regular season before the play-offs, Tigers faced Exeter Chiefs in the Gallagher Premiership.
With a ruck formed on 67 minutes, and the score locked in at 34-15 to Tigers, Chiefs were trying to counter-ruck with Dafydd Jenkins and Ross Vintcent putting on the pressure
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Italy star Vintcent completed a strong clear-out on Harry Wells, and Wells’ team-mate Wiese reacted immediately.
The Springbok picked up Vintcent, who was already laying on top of everyone at the breakdown, lifted him above the horizontal and drove his head towards the ground, as the match officials would go on to describe.
Commentator Nick Heath said: “Well, it might not be the fairy tale end to Jasper Wiese’s Tigers career.”
After some deliberation between TMO Rowan Kitt and referee Karl Dickson, the pair agreed it was a red card offence.
“Eight has lifted the player up, dangerously, drive him into the ground and he has landed on his head,” explained Dickson.
Heath added: “Not too much to argue with, the red mist descending for Jasper Wiese. The red card appearing from Karl Dickson. He will get the sporting handshake from Ross Vintcent, but it was a moment of madness. He’s going to get the applause of Mattioli Woods Welford Road, regardless.”
You can watch the video below.
The Times deputy rugby correspondent Will Kelleher wrote on X, formerly Twitter, saying: “Horrible final act from Jasper Wiese here, in his final Tigers match. Picks up Ross Vintcent and dumps him on his head at a ruck. Correctly given a straight red. Shocking, I’m afraid.”
Player welfare group Progressive Rugby re-posted this, saying: “This red has split opinion with some thinking it’s not even a penalty. Very sad for Jasper Wiese because he’d modified his game superbly and has been a hugely physical presence with exceptional discipline for Tigers.
“But we’re with Will Kelleher on this one.”
Tigers confirmed in December 2023 that Wiese would depart the club at the end of the season, after four years with the Midlands-based side. The 28-year-old picked up the player-of-the-match award in the 2022 Premiership final, which Tigers won. It has not been confirmed yet, but reports suggest that he will play in Japan next year.
The red card has now raised concerns for South Africa, who may be without their hard-carrying number eight for two Tests against Ireland this summer, if he is cited by the authorities.
The game finished 40-22 to Tigers despite the red card, with tries from Ollie Hassell-Collins, Jack van Poortvliet, Tommy Reffell and Mike Brown contributing to their victory. Chiefs had three cards of their own however, with Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Olly Woodburn and Harvey Skinner all receiving yellow.
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