The decision to upgrade Tom Curry’s yellow card to a red in England’s opening World Cup match against Argentina divided opinion on Saturday night.
In his first appearance since the English Premiership final, Curry lasted less than five minutes in Marseille as he was shown an initial yellow card by French referee Matthieu Raynal.
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The loose forward was judged to have made a dangerous tackle on Argentina fullback Juan Cruz Mallia after the outside back leapt into the air to catch a high ball. Upon further review by the Foul Play Review Bunker, the decision was upgraded to a red card.
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Former England flyhalf Freddie Burns took to social media to vent.
Winds me right up. Curry no real intent, can’t let the guy run through him, red.. Carreras opportunity not the flatten Ford but decides to do it anyways, yellow. I’m know I’m English and slightly bias but i don’t understand it. Both yellows for me
— Freddie Burns (@FreddieBurns) September 9, 2023
Meanwhile, 2003 World Cup-winning English number eight Lawrence Dallaglio felt that the decision was “harsh”, but added that he was pleased with how England’s players responded to the setback.
Harsh red card for Tom Curry but what a response #ENGvARG
— Lawrence Dallaglio (@dallaglio8) September 9, 2023
Il be honest ladies and gents Tom curry couldn’t have done anything else if he had smashed him in the air that’s a deffo red he stood off and the player momentum hit Tom curry’s head !! Slow mo always look worse !! About time we all play touch i might make a comeback then
— Andy Powell (@andypowell8) September 9, 2023
Former Springbok lock Kobus Wiese called the decision a joke.
“Curry red card is a joke! Nothing more than a rugby collision, now turned into a game-changing decision!” his post read.
3 – Tom Curry’s 3rd minute red card was the earliest for any player in men’s Rugby World Cup history and England’s first at the tournament overall. Blow.#ENGvARG #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/oc9rRHnHTa
— OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) September 9, 2023
Former international flyhalf and now pundit Andy Goode, on the other hand, felt that the right decision was made.
Responsibility is on the defender and if he’s upright and there’s head contact and he’s accelerated towards the collision then it’s a red. Been saying it for years about players line speed, it reduces your reaction time and hence we see red cards
— Andy Goode (@AndyGoode10) September 9, 2023
🟥🏴 Finalmente Tom Curry recibió la tarjeta roja por regla Búnker.
⭐ Mirá todo el Mundial de Rugby, en @starplusla#RWCxESPNEnStarPlus pic.twitter.com/ttdtgm2vf3
— ScrumRugby (@ScrumESPN) September 9, 2023
Photo: Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images