The UAFC

Gavin Hastings was lionized for this:

https://youtu.be/U8qYm3JZtJo

Fast forward 30 years and big Van der Merwe gets red carded.

Actually think Hastings didn't do anything wrong even under todays laws. He didn't strike with the forearm like VDM did, and only extended his arm after the hit as a shove off. The tackle on Hastings is probably a yellow as he is lifted beyond the horizontal.

To my mind a straight arm hand-off is potentially more dangerous than a forearm

jean valjean wrote: ↑Tue Mar 08, 2022 10:57 am Actually think Hastings didn't do anything wrong even under todays laws. He didn't strike with the forearm like VDM did, and only extended his arm after the hit as a shove off. The tackle on Hastings is probably a yellow as he is lifted beyond the horizontal.

lifting beyond the horizontal isn't the offence, it is how the tackler brings the tackled player back to earth if they have taken them beyond the horizontal that matters. They have a duty of care to do that safely, and if they do, there's no issue.

I would say that yellow would be harsh for that even in today's game as he (Hastings) was able to break his fall with his arm (and yes, I know that's an action by Hastings, not the tackler), and then he was close to horizontal as his full body came to ground, albeit shoulder first (other than the arm).

I've seen yellow given for similar and wouldn't be surprised if yellow was given for similar, but my natural reaction would be that it's not a yellow card offence.

big mervyn wrote: ↑Tue Mar 08, 2022 11:44 am To my mind a straight arm hand-off is potentially more dangerous than a forearm

Aye, the ball carrier could damage his shoulder.