An incident in one of last weekend's November internationals has sparked outrage.
A clear out from USA's Siaosi Mahoni is courting huge controversy after he was only shown a yellow card despite clear, brutal contact with the head of an opponent..
Referee Tual Trainini's decision to hand out just a yellow has prompted a fiery response from campaigners pushing for improved safety in the game. World Cup-winner Steve Thompson has also called for sanctions against the referee.
"I want to respect the referees but surely it comes to a point where we need to hold them accountable.," said Thompson.
The former England man has been suffering with early-onset dementia, and believes rugby authorities should have done better to protect him whilst he was playing.
The referee's decision on the incident was picked up on the microphone after he initially didn't even brandish a yellow card.
"For me, the right arm doesn't work in order to wrap. Thanks for the support, so I change my point of view, its a yellow card against number four." explained French official Truan Trainini.
The incident has also been branded as 'utterly appalling' by Progressive Rugby , who are "working to achieve a safer and healthier game".
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"The game cannot afford to tolerate such ugly recklessness," it said in a statement.
"How can a sanctioned referee’s team watch this back and come to the collaborative decision it’s a yellow?"
USA beat Kenya 68-14 in the the final qualifying tournament for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. The group contains the aforementioned sides, along with Hong Kong and Portugal.
The winner of the tournament will secure a spot in Pool C alongside Australia, Wales, Fiji and Georgia.
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