Quote: Dave K. "On topic, 1 match should be the standard ban for a harmless grab of the official, Tautai should get at least two matches.'"
Different people see things in different ways. IMO touching a match official is a total no go (even if they're as poor as Hicks was on Friday) and he deserves what he gets for not keeping his emotions in check. It's a slippery slope when they start saying 'it's a harmless grab' and very difficult to differentiate between it is and isn't harmless or with aggression.
As for Tautai I have some sympathy for players in these cases. He's tackling around the legs at the end of the day. If the player is being held upright I suppose it depends on if he's still looking to move forward or if he's looking to keep the ball alive as to how it's judged. I see tackles like that a few times a week in games which Sky aren't covering and little ever gets said. If a debate kicks up about one they then seem to be fighting a losing battle.
It'll be interesting to see the findings in both cases.