Today’s rugby news as pundits rage against last-second Wales v Portugal decision and Gatland explains late change

Here are the newest rugby headlines on Sunday, September 17.

Pundits sad with Portugal pink v Wales

A lot of rugby pundits and followers have questioned the decision to concern a pink card to Portugal’s Vincent Pinto against Wales.

Pinto was initially yellow-carded after catching Josh Adams within the face along with his boot as he leapt to take a catch within the 76th minute. The decision was then upgraded by the TMO bunker to a pink card in what was virtually the ultimate act of the competition, which Wales gained 28-8.

It left Pinto wanting distraught on the aspect of the pitch, with a looming ban probably ending his match.

Again, it was a decision that cut up opinion, with some accepting it was a reckless and harmful act, whereas others felt it was the mistaken name.

Former England worldwide and pundit Andy Goode had sturdy views, saying: “Horrific decision to give a yellow card for Pinto for that foot to the head, he’s falling backwards and over as he’s caught the ball! Simple physics! What the f**k?!”

When it was then upgraded, he described it as “one of many worst selections I’ve ever seen.”

Former Wales fly-half James Hook weighed in, posting: “Never easy in games you’re expected to win but with the players we’ve got we need to be better in attack. Hats off to Portugal, they came to play. Disagree with Pinto red card, what’s he supposed to do?”

ITV pundit Maggie Alphonsi stated: “Interesting call. Portugal player jumps in the air and is coming down. Shows no intention to make contact with Josh Adam’s face but does. Looked accidentally, but he gets a yellow card upgraded to red because his foot is in an unnatural position. Harsh call.”

Gatland explains Wales withdrawal

Wales coach Warren Gatland has confirmed flanker Tommy Reffell was affected by a decent calf muscle that noticed him pulled out of the beginning line-up simply minutes earlier than kick-off, with Jac Morgan referred to as up.

The look of Morgan caught everybody unexpectedly, coming so near the beginning of the sport.

“Tommy said his calf was a bit tight,” Gatland stated.

“I feel he was nonetheless fairly eager to take the sphere, but when he pulled that calf, that may have been his World Cup over.

“To put Jac in as a straight replacement with very limited preparation, I thought he was good.”

Gatland’s much-changed aspect struggled all through for management and fluency within the contest, the spotlight of which was Portugal’s attacking aptitude.

Wing Louis Rees-Zammit, captain Dewi Lake, Morgan and Faletau scored tries, whereas Leigh Halfpenny kicked three conversions and Sam Costelow landed one, but an unlimited enchancment shall be required against Australia in Lyon subsequent weekend.

Portugal gave as good as they bought for giant components of the sport and they undoubtedly deserved greater than flanker Nicolas Martins’ attempt and a Samuel Marques penalty.

Lake denies Wales taken unexpectedly

Wales captain Dewi Lake denied his staff have been taken unexpectedly after a really troublesome match against minnows Portugal.

Asked if he was stunned by Portugal’s physicality, Lake stated: “No, I do not assume we have been stunned as we had carried out our homework on the staff that we have been going through.

“We understood what they have been going to convey to the desk from a physicality standpoint. Gats spoke within the week about them being a mini-Fiji by way of an off-load sport.

“They’ve got players who want to snipe and want to run. In terms of physicality, we won that battle over 80 minutes.”

Portugal misplaced 102-11 after they final performed Wales in 1994, though captain Tomas Appleton struggled to masks his disappointment on the newest end result.

“We really wanted to win this game. We really worked hard for that,” Appleton stated.

“We misplaced many areas of the sport, we did not have a strong scrum, we made errors within the backs and after we are enjoying at this stage we get penalised and we endure with these errors.

“We could not fairly present the rugby that we now have, the great stage of quick rugby we are able to play, and on the finish of the day we’re pissed off.

“We are not here to just be a presence, we are here to compete and win. When you are playing at this level you have to be cool-headed, and I think a lot of times we made bad decisions.”

Ireland beat Tonga as Sexton breaks report

By Ed Elliot, PA, Nantes

Johnny Sexton smashed Ireland’s particular person factors report as his aspect edged nearer to the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals with a crushing 59-16 bonus-point victory over Tonga in Nantes.

The influential fly-half surpassed Ronan O’Gara’s all-time tally of 1,083 in fashion with the fourth of his aspect’s eight tries on a balmy night at Stade de la Beaujoire.

Captain Sexton additionally kicked a penalty and 4 conversions en path to transferring on to a profession complete of 1,090 earlier than being withdrawn from a bruising Pool B encounter at half-time forward of subsequent week’s essential conflict with South Africa.

Tries from Tadhg Beirne, Caelan Doris and Mack Hansen paved the way in which to victory, with Bundee Aki’s double and second-half scores from James Lowe and Rob Herring capping Sexton’s landmark second.

Vaea Fifita crossed simply earlier than half-time to provide Tonga hope within the aftermath of Peter O’Mahony’s yellow card, whereas William Havili contributed three penalties and a conversion.

But the world’s top-ranked nation comfortably maintained their 100 per cent begin to the match and emerged comparatively unscathed transferring in direction of pivotal Paris appointments with the Springboks and Scotland.