Kurt-Lee Arendse HORRIFIC Aerial Challenge On Beauden Barrett | South Africa vs All Blacks 2022 

The way he landed made me gasp

Arendse making illegal contact in the air at these three times during the game and getting away with it. Playing possum when he realized his reckless play had done damage. Had he been warned on the first, he wouldn't have been able to continue. Never had an idea of where the ball was on each occasion, head always down at contact.

It was scary to see B.Barrett landed on his neck. Hope the two players are alright now.

Very dangerous play by Arendse that could have resulted in serious injury to both players. Broken neck, serious concussion, broken back, broken collarbone, you name it. He did a similar thing to Jordie Barrett in the first half when he had no chance to catch the ball but collided with the defending player. He deserves a few weeks suspension, but given World Rugby's inconsistency at the judiciary lately in the England v Australia and Ireland v New Zealand series with numerous mistakes made, who knows what will happen.

As an All blacks fan I will say it seemed Arendse was looking at the ball until the last moment when he saw Barret's Body looming in front of his head and he threw his arms up in instinctual self-defense. Just like knock-ons or bad passes even the best players in the world will occasionally misjudge time and space and mess up their tackles or kick chases. See Ta'avao vs. Ireland in test match 2 this year. These incidents may need to go heavily punished with red cards so players take extreme caution to avoid unsafe incidents, even if it means not contesting kicks properly, in the case of Arendse, or missing tackles completely, in the case of Ta'avao. But these errors which are minor in physical margin, if not in the results highlight how critical the 20-minute red card rule is. If this had happened in the first 5 minutes under IRB rules the All blacks may have won the game, and anyone who watched the game today could tell you that would have been an unfair punishment for one member of a team getting to a spot and jumping half a second later than his opponent.

I have no issues with the red card and we are lucky that there are no serious injuries as far as I am aware. However in the context of rugby I think it is a farce. How do you decide that you are now pulling out of contesting the high ball. You are running towards the contact point and your eyes are on the ball, if you are not watching the ball you will not be able to catch it so the challenging player is in a no win situation if anything goes wrong. In my opinion either ban the up and under totally or bring in the rule that it must at least go 40m to minimize the risk of incidents like these. As a side note - one of the better ref and TMO combinations I have seen for quite awhile, clear and decisive decisions and instructions clearly communicated to the players.

It was a definite red and careless. However, I really, really don't believe this one was malicious. It was a young player, wet behind the ears with regards to international rugby, making a mistake. (*Edit - a huge mistake. Watching that again, that was so close to potential paralysis. I don't think anyone could make Arendse feel worse than he already does. Horrible.) I hope Barrett is alright. So nasty to watch.

That was frightening. Really bad from Arendse

He makes no attemp to catch the ball, just the man and hit him with hes knee

Do we have any idea on the status of Arendse?

The amount of articles written about this incident but don't show it is ridiculous, thanks mate

This was inevitable. Im afraid its the result of SA over employing the kick and chase. Our guys are becoming the best at running at mach 1 and getting airborne under the high ball for the catch/tap back. Any kick thats a tad too deep will cause our backs to chase and jump even more desperately, leading to these incidents. The tactic works but this is a major risk. Refs will definitely be VERY alert and unforgiving after this incident.

Very bad from Arendse, should've waited for Barret to land.

Clear red card. And if you look at his arial battles for the evening there was never a clear indication that he went for the ball

This was a very scary thing to watch. Thankful that Beauden Barrett is okay after this. I think conversation also needs to be around players running back to make chasers run around them. Caleb Clarke sees the springbok player running on his outside, sprints with him to make him run around him, by the time springbok gets past him he jumps up at the same time as Barrett. Players running back to impede chasers is also dangerous tbh

This play deserves full time red card and suspension for months. This SA winger’s challenge seems so crazy. Similar things can happen in the amateur level but the intensity is totally different. Top players must understand they can possibly kill opponents.

Beginning to despise the way we play, all we play is brute force and it’s not the way, we got beat by England having a fresh team and we were reckless in that too. That move was just pure idiotic on our behalf. No wonder the rest of the world is starting to hate us

Springbok supporter here. That was a bad , bad mistake.

This is the kind of player that has NO place in rugby, this kind of player needs to go. BAN

I seriously doubt that this was intentional on Arendse’s part. At the speeds that the game is played he had a split second to decide whether to contest or not. In this case he clearly got it wrong, and so deserved the red, but the margin between a successful contest and a dangerous collision is so narrow that it can go either way. I really don’t envy either the players having to make those decisions, or the ref or TMO having to judge them.

I would have laughed a little bit if the situation wasn't so serious when the ref was like "Green 14 come over here...oh uh right he is also unconscious. Right well I will go to him". He got sent off on a stretcher. Poor Arendse, there was no ways he could legally contest that catch but it's his first game as an international player. I hope it doesn't put him out of International rugby for the foreseeable future. I hope that dumb decision won't cost him too much overall. There are a lot of potential Bok players who are vying for any vacant position.

He played Barrett in the Air and acts like he was injured!

That was ridiculous, he should get a 5 or 6 week suspension. Barrett could have been paralysed.

That was bad. Win or lose that just a bad challenge. Young fulla stayed down cause he knew it wasn't going to be good for him staying on the field. South Africa too good on the day but sad to see this blemish on a polished performance. All blacks didn't really respond to that though, which is a bit disheartening and doesn't bode too much confidence in the team. Not sure how they will turn it around under the current management

No intention to catch the ball. His eyes were following the ball so he could prepare for impact. Normally on a situation like this, when the ball is close, body shifts, hands above head ready to catch. This situation player has his elbows below shoulder. Just aweful!

What the hell was arendse thinking?

That's pretty sick. Clear cut dangerous.

Horrible collision and era in judgment, there’s no excuse for what happened however I played the zoomed out clip in slow motion and Caleb Clarke interferes with Kurt-Lee while he’s still got eyes on the ball, he 100% would have been able to contest if he wasn’t hindered. Doesn’t take away from the fact that Kurt-Lee should have been more aware but players screening their own player should also be blown more often. Glad both players are okay.

This was probably the worst looking aerial collision I have seen. I was watching this thinking this is the kind of fall that ends careers. Hope Barrett is okay.

NO excuses ... his eyes were on the ball ... when BB came into his sight he does try to turn and avoid collision ... this has happened more than once over the forty plus years of rugby that I have watched .... I doubt any player deliberately tries to injure another .... its easy to sit on the side line and make comments ... you are not on the field .... now days the games are played at high speed ... just go back and check the footage ... in my opinion ... the new rules are the problem .... currently if a player jumps up they cannot be touched .... that is a risk the jumper is taking .... surely change the rule .... no jumping to get a high ball ... so what ... if the game slows down a few seconds ... less players would get hurt ...

Man had his eyes on the ball.. can’t wait for the 2nd test 🔥🔥

This can happen in a contact sport. Glad both players are ohk. Right decision made in the end. Well played Bokke🇿🇦

That kick was too far out to contest. These kick and chases are reckless when it's a hit and hope.

He should get 5 red cards for that reckless play. Sure he is keen to make an impression but that was simply dangerous. I hope that both players recover quickly.

If you've played rugby as a backline player or maybe just as a player, you would realise it was an accident. Arendse was focused on the ball and realised too late he's close to Beauden Barret. It wasn't intentional. Arendse also almost broke his neck.

Dunno what KLA was thinking. It's as if he thought Barrett had already caught it and landed on the ground or that Barrett was further away. Ended up as a car crash. 😳

Yeah either have to outlaw competing for high ball or these type of incidents will happen. Only takes a small moment to mistime and people get hurt.

Truly believe that if the "Bomb Squad" of old with Israel Dagg, Cory Jane and Richard Kahui was on the field, those high balls would have been diffused throughout the game and perhaps a different outcome. Shocked by the challenge though and pray BB is alright.

Not nice for the 2 player's I think it was more clumsy than any malleus in it . handled very quickly by the ref no one can have any problem with his call. This is why rugby is so good why can't different sports use tmo

Very reckless from KLA but if player safety is paramount... make it illegal to jump to catch a high ball... too many pf these incidents could be so much worse... are they waiting for a player to actually end up paralysed before stopping this....?

19 - 3 up, with 5 minutes left. Why would you kick an up under into the opposition 22?

Boohoo... Cry me a river😭😭😭😭 Barrett acknowledged that his teammates that were supposed to protect him DIDN'T DO THEIR JOB. Look at Ginger taking photographs instead of protecting his teammate. Yes, it was bad timing on Arendse's part, but share the blame when it's due. There was an incident where Barrett kicked a Wallaby in the face when he jumped to catch a Gary Owen. Accidentally...yes, but accidents do happen. Get over it 🤬🤬🤬

Straight red no question about that

That was criminal. Should be banned for life!

Kurtlee definitely in a position to contest beauden barret makes contact with his hip on arendses head and doesn't even have the ball in hand just saying...

So far i notice both eyes is on the ball

Some ppl critisasing here have never run to catch a ball, this is just a bad calculation in a fast play, nothing malicious, once you are on speed, running & initiating a wrong jump it's very little that you can do to stop the whole action, it will be a collition, nobody knows what will be the result , besides a red card

That was pure filth, look closely disgusting play.

As soon as I seen BB land on his head like ouch was a awful challenge not kiwi or bok fan they can be entertaining matches for neutral I'm England fan but that red card was deserved very long ban incoming

Arendse did this earlier in the game when the Boks scored their first try. Although not as flagrant. SMH

Good thing he was wearing head gear. Could be another Pat Lambie

Defo Red Card...but SA UTTERLY dominated All Blacks over 80 mins

Not as fan but as a rugby lover its rugby shit happens!

I don't know why players are still making challenges like this, not only dangerous it is bloody stupid , he had no chance of getting the ball yet he carried on regardless, very fortunate that the full back wasn't seriously and permanently injured , longer bans are needed until players get the message, no excuse, one day someone will not be so fortunate and then the lawyers get involved and no one should want that.

Arendse should be ashamed. Shocking challenge. Hope he is banned for at least six weeks.

Arendse: shit! Girl: did you pull out? Arendse: nah I'll just pretend I'm unconscious

Saffas doing saffa things

12 weeks minimum

Honestly the refs a reejz

Horrific

It was NOT intentionally done. KLA is not a dirty player...

Should be cited for that ,that’s a career ending tackle

Dirty tactics by the boks, there was no chance of him competing against Jordan and Beauden but he was just running and jumping into him,ref was f#ckn hopeless

Dangerous, yes. Right decision. But there was no intent, for what it's worth. I often wonder how you contest the high ball knowing that it is extremely likely to end in a collision. I assume that it he had jumped prior to impact, then he would not have been red carded?

Cane and Christie wanted to bash his face in, but they held back because they saw he was also out cold.

Need to stamp this out the game, he should be banned for that, knew exactly what he was doing!

Ardense looks like Rugby Challenge lost the rights to Kobe

These referees are more about.their ego than actually officiating. They always get things wrong

I don't care how good you are at the rest of the game, you can't be that good with that level of decision making.

That was reckless in the extreme. For him to pay no heed to the safety of other players is bad enough but to disregard his own safety just shows he should receive a lengthy ban.

Arendse deserves a further month on the sideline. That was a moronic attempt - plain & simple. Luckily Barrett is ok as it could have been easily a broken neck with the way he landed.

He should get a 4 week ban for that

Inexperiece, youth... trying perhaps too hard to impress and perhaps a tiny bit of arrogance... He'll be fine Mate! Perhaps also remind him he does not have to be a Cheslin Kolbe..

Red card easily. Reckless play.

🙏🙏🙏😔

Sad. This is the end of his career.

Not malicious but also definitely a red card, as a chaser you can guarantee there will be a player in the 22 to field that ball who will most likely be jumping for it, it's your responsibility to not hit him in the air, not to be dramatic but the way Barrett landed he could have ended up with a horrific injury. Hope both players are OK but no sympathy for Ardense really

Your life.5.g.

On purpose

Hopefully suspended for the rest of the year, that was incredibly stupid.

Rugby is the only game where a player who is stretchered off is red carded!

Extremely dumb ,for sure, malicious don't think so....

Hopefully Arendse learns from this and doesnt do it again. Very reckless and just cant do that. He did it twice during this game and Barrett was lucky, could have been much worse. Glad he's alright.

Fair play to both teams for realising the seriousness of the situation and keeping everything calm and focused on the injured players, the aftermath could have turned ugly in a heartbeat especially when you factor in the score and the time remaining, NZ could have easily decided that they had more chance winning a fight than they did winning the match but they kept their cool as did the Boks. Absolutely horrendous challenge but classy reactions from both sides

Well, Arendse deserves suspension even though that was just a mistake as South Africans we had to approve the Red card

I really hope BB is ok, as that was one of the scariest falls I've seen in a match. Similar to that one Willie Le Roux took a while ago.

I really hope both of them are fine including faf at the beginning, as a South African that is a clear red no questions ask. Kurt Lee is a star in the making

He should have been off at the 10 minute mark as he had no chance of catching that high ball either. In fact he flew past the ball on that occasion. Just as dangerous and reckless.

Almost ruined one of our best players Life, neck breaks can be life changing. Very foolish move when you already wining the game too no need for that crazy gymnastics

I get the feeling Arendse will get a huge ban for this and will be held up by world rugby to make an example. Not excusing it at all just saying, we'll see what happens in the disciplinary committee

Careless challenges against a player in the air are serious, potentially lethal. Refs are far too lenient about this... Compare how they (rightly) penalize relatively slight contact in the air at line outs.

Yeah, that was a clear red card

It was a really horrific timing on the contest so no arguments on the red card there

One of the things I noticed in their last two meets…they charge in on a high ball recklessly, was only a matter of time

You could see Arendse flying in - I just thought slow down as he came in closer! My worst thoughts happened and both players ended up in the worst possible situation. But that's the game these boys put their bodies into some scary positions.

Nothing wrong with him....he knew he was in the wrong, that's why he stayed down.... definitely a suspension

Barret made a full recovery and will be playing this weekend.

He was doing so well up until then. :(

I don't think it was intentional or malicious but so damn reckless and careless

Was a horrible incident see two all blacks players went to the springbok player to vent their anger then immediately they saw he was heavily injured also and then they check if he is also ok. Tough game but we want all players to be healthy afterwards also great win to the boks