Lebanon coach Michael Cheika has slammed refereeing double standards at the World Cup after Ireland enforcer Jaimin Jolliffe escaped the sin bin for an ugly high tackle.
Jolliffe’s shoulder made direct contact with Cedars prop Kayne Kalache’s head and the 24-year-old was clearly dazed as he was taken for a HIA and later hospitalised.
Gee handed Lebanon a penalty for the high contract and star halfback Mitchell Moses was shocked Jolliffe remained on the field.
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Lebanon v Ireland: Full match highlights | 03:41
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“He has made contact with the head with his shoulder, I think (Bunker referee) Ashley Klein could well have an input into the game again,” the commentator said on Fox League.
“I think he has got him square hasn’t he… for me he should leave the field as well shouldn’t he.”
In Lebanon’s first clash against New Zealand, gun five-eighth Adam Doueihi was sent to the sin bin for allegedly saying “give us some f—ing calls” to referee Grant Atkins.
Doueihi was handed a one-match suspension after a lengthy appeal, denying he also followed the referee sledge by saying “f..k me c..t”.
The 24-year-old maintained he said “f.*** me, challenge” to captain Mitchell Moses.
Cheika questioned how one of his players can be on the receiving end of dangerous high contact and no one is sent to the bin, while Doueihi was forced to sit out the must-win clash.
Lebanon v Ireland: Full match highlights | 03:41
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“Kayne wasn’t flash if I’m honest,” Chieka said.
“I wasn’t happy with the whole thing. We had a player sent-off for supposedly saying something to the referee.
“(But a) bloke takes a shoulder fair and square to the head and nothing happens. Our player goes to hospital. Go figure.”
Kalache will now be set for an 11-day sideline stint after failing to return to the field, adhering to the World Cup’s strict concussion protocols.
The Cedars look set to finish in second place in Group C with a huge quarterfinals clash against Australia firming.
