I think the Samoans got a bit over excited and the ref’s leniency meant that these offences were repeated. Had he yellow carded the first offender I doubt there’d have been a second or third offence. IMO the second offence was the worst as it was not only late but from behind and was more of a shoulder charge. The ref should have got his card out earlier as it could have seriously got out of hand. I thought the French were very restrained.

I’m all for bringing back the biff but off the ball incidents targeting the little blokes is nothing to get nostalgic about. That was one part of the game that we’re well rid off. I like watching Samoa get stuck in but targeting the little fellas with late shots from the blindside was cowardly stuff IMO.

You what? And get his face stamped on by some coward in the middle of one of those 16 man pile-ups?

Darren Turner was another until Tony Kemp slotted him - stopped him dead in his tracks!!

Two Samoans have received one match bans (should have been two matches IMO) and I think both were for the attacks on Barthau. Certainly one was the shoulder charge from behind that made Barthau look like he'd snapped his neck and finally drove him off the field.

C'mon Fiji!

From what I read the ban for Sue was not handed out for the late challenge from behind but for the trip. Ah Mau got his for the first shoulder charge. One match bans seem fair to me

Michael McIlorum the modern day version then?

Just seen the hits. 1st ones bad, 2nd ones a shocker. No place for it in the game. They deliberately went out to hurt the French scrum half. Perenara shat his pants after the 2nd one.

Korbin Sims getting a 2 match ban looks harsh when compared to the Samoan bans.

Yes, the ref and he s a Samoan New Zealander and England will get him if we make the final. Burrow, Sinfield and Tomkins had better watch their step.

Maybe they should watch their backs

I'm VERY disappointed (and this is the first time this World Cup) with Premier Sports...although you may tell me it is a VirginMedia issue, but having read all your comments regarding this match, I was REALLY looking forward to watching this match on my recordings. BUT, it started as France scored their only try and the match was already 6-0 to the good in favour of Samoa with 30 minutes or so on the clock. Did Premier Sports overrun on the build up to this match? or did the kick off mysteriously get switched to half an hour earlier without telling anyone? It looks like I have missed all the Biff and controversy! D'Oh!

Think you must have not realised that 8 o'clock in France is 7 in the UK. There's your issue.

Same thing happened to me. Set the game to record as I was unable to watch it live, and the recording started only as France scored. I guess someone at Virgin or Premier got their scheduling a little mixed up.

Disappointing as from the comments I missed a good section of the match. But not the end of the world and Premier's coverage has otherwise been top notch.

Dale Ferguson's 2 match ban looks even more ridiculous.

I reckon they will replay most of the games over the next year or two so you will probably get a chance to see it but I imagine you could also watch it online right now (do they have an function online to do that?)