Hip-drop tackle: two injured before the ban

Both players hurt their ankle, a few hours apart.

In Auckland, Leroy Carter scored the All Blacks’ fifth try in the 66th minute despite Rob Valetini, who caught him from behind and landed with his full weight on his left ankle. The Chiefs wing left the field supported by two medics. The New Zealand staff diagnosed a high ankle sprain: Carter will miss the second Bledisloe Cup Test in Sydney on Saturday, and Anton Lienert-Brown has been called into the squad.

Nene off after 19 minutes

A few hours later at Jean-Bouin, Noah Nene suffered the same tackle from his Argentine opposite number Justo Piccardo (17′). The 21-year-old Stade Francais centre tried to carry on, then asked to come off and was replaced by Tani Vili (19′). Paul Gustard spoke of a two-week absence, with scans due early in the week. Nene scored nine tries in 18 Top 14 games last season.

It didn’t look good. Sort of like a hip-drop type tackle, landed on the back of his ankle.

Dave Rennie

A law from 1 November

Announced by World Rugby on Wednesday, the hip-drop ban will be written into Law 9.13 on dangerous play on 1 November, with at least a penalty. Until then nothing in the laws allows referees to sanction it, which is why neither Valetini nor Piccardo was penalised. According to RugbyPass, Valetini will be available for Sydney.

The timing is not universally welcomed. Speaking to Sud Radio, Mathieu Raynal, head of French refereeing, expressed surprise at a law change in mid-season, when the unions, World Rugby and EPCR had agreed to introduce new laws only during the July window.

We are very surprised by the timing chosen by World Rugby… So we don’t understand why it comes just a month after the start of our championship.

Mathieu Raynal | Sud Radio