Quote: jinkin jimmy "It’s rarity but I disagree with you this time. He’s supposed to be the experienced head but he lost it. Also, whilst I thought the way the ref ran the game was indeed precious, just how much contact with the ref would you allow?'"
I wouldn’t allow any that’s in an aggressive manner and is aimed solely at the ref but have you watched this incident back? I’ve watched it numerous times. There’s a coming together between Hastings and Sammut and verbals kick off. The ref stands in between them and Sammut walks forward acting the big I am and basically uses the ref as a shield. He doesn’t aggressively go at him and looks like he’s not even aware he’s in the way. It’s a heat of the moment loss of awareness of who’s in the way of him and Hastings.
As I said it’s forgivable. It should’ve been avoided but nobody would’ve batted an eyelid a couple of years back until the refs became off bounds for even accidental contact.