More yellow and red cards needed in rugby, says CEO

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World Rugby chief executive officer Brett Gosper has insisted referees must show more yellow and red cards if the game is serious about reducing the number of dangerous tackles.

"The cards are there to change behavior," Gosper told Britain's Daily Telegraph newspaper.

The Australian added "I would say in many ways we have probably not been hard enough. There have probably not been as many yellow cards as we would like, and maybe not even as many red cards as we would like. We have not had the behavior change that we are seeking yet."

Despite an announced crackdown from World Rugby, the 15-a-side code's global governing body, has seen a number of controversial challenges go unpunished this month ahead of the November internationals.

World Rugby CEO Brett Gosper /VCG Photo

England co-captain Owen Farrell escaped any sanction at all for what looked at least like a penalty offence in the closing seconds of a 12-11 win over South Africa.

And there was uproar in Wales after a head-high tackle by Wallaby center Samu Kerevi on Leigh Halfpenny did not lead to any action either.

Fullback Halfpenny was forced off in a match Wales eventually won 9-6 and will miss Saturday's match against South Africa in Cardiff with concussion.

Several players have already been forced to retire as a result of head knocks this year, with concussion looming as a major problem for both present-day rugby union and in the future when, as has already happened in American football, players could well make huge compensation claims for brain injuries.

Source(s): AFP