One of the all-time great try-saving tackles or an illegal hit that should have been penalised? That’s been the debate following Wallaby wing Marika Koroibete’s crucial intervention in Australia’s victory over South Africa.
The incident happened just before half-time during today’s Rugby Championship clash in Adelaide. The home side were leading 10-3 but were down to 14 men with their other wing Tom Wright in the sin-bin.
With their depleted defence stretched, it seemed as though Springboks try machine Makazole Mapimpi was odds on to score as he pinned his ears back for the left corner. But across came Koroibete from the opposite wing, making up a huge amount of ground with a heroic piece of covering before sending Mapimpi flying into touch with a crunching tackle that also dislodged the ball and earned him huge congratulations from his jubilant team-mates.
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The commentator on Stan Sport summed up the immediate reaction, declaring: “How on earth did Marika deliver that? Wow!”
It was hailed as “one of the greatest try-saving tackles in the modern era” on the rugby.com.au website, while Bet365 Aus likened it to a superhero-style effort, posting: “Is it a bird. Is it a plane. It’s Koroibete!!!”
But others have questioned the legality of the tackle on the basis that the former rugby league star led with his left shoulder and there was a limited wrap involved. In a further twist, some have argued that opposing wing Mapimpi jumped into the air before the collision, which is not allowed.
Giving his view, the Telegraph’s rugby journalist Ben Coles said: “Not sure about Koroibete’s arms in that mega tackle”, while South African rugby writer Simon Borchardt commented: “Koroibete did appear to use his left arm and Mapimpi jumped just before the tackle, which didn’t help. But no wrap around.”
EK Rugby Analysis dubbed it a “sensational” tackle, going on to add: “It’s okay to say it was a world class effort from Koroibete to get across and still should have been a penalty. It doesn’t have to absolutely be just one thing or the other.”
Former Swansea RFC player Chris James said: “Legal height, side on tackle at speed, wrapped his left arm. Impact of initial shoulder hit made it quite hard for him to wrap though. Try saving tackle. No cards.”
And rugby author David Beresford commented: “Great tackle. Had to go ‘wrong side’ with his head to stop momentum. Wrapped his arms too. Can’t penalise him because Mapimpi flies in the air due to Koroibete’s timing and super-human strength. They are both powerful and brilliant players so the impact was bound to be huge!”
Opinion remains divided on social media with references to a “Lovely try saving tackle” counterpointed by comments such as: “Definitely a yellow card, maybe more. No arms bound at all. He just took him out.”
One other post said: “To me his arms looked to be positioned for a wrap. I’d agree there was no actual wrap but the other guy jumping into the tackle at speed made it pretty much impossible.”
So check out the video and make your own mind up.
Key man Koroibete went on to score a try early in the second half, with flanker Fraser McReight crossing twice as Australia won 25-17 to bounce back from their defeat to Argentina a fortnight ago.
There was a further controversial episode in the contest with Springboks scrum-half Faf de Klerk yellow carded over an incident involving opposite number Nic White. You can read all about that here.
In today’s other game in the Rugby Championship, Argentina recorded their first every victory over the All Blacks on Kiwi soil, triumphing 25-18 in Christchurch to top the table.
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