Super Rugby Pacific has hit back strongly at claims that Connor Vest was “rushed” off the field by referee Brendon Pickerill after breaking his neck in Dunedin on Friday.
Reds lock Vest suffered a fracture in his C7 vertebrae when tackled by Highlanders flanker Shannon Frizell in the first half.
The Reds later made an official complaint to Australia’s players association amid claims of inaction and disregard for Vest’s health.
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Queensland star Harry Wilson was livid when he spoke to reporters.
“Rugby has been really big on player welfare the past few years. For us there wasn’t much player welfare there with a no-arms tackle on his legs and a shoulder, with no arms, to the head,” Wilson said.
“That’s not ideal. Vesty broke his neck. For me, that’s pretty ridiculous. As a playing group, we were very frustrated with the referee trying to rush him off the field.
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“We thought it was pretty disrespectful to a player, who was found to have a broken neck. He was being told to get off the field as if he was wasting time.
“As a playing group, we weren’t too happy. He was lying down for quite a while and they (the medical staff) had him in all the positions.
“There seemed to be a lot of external pressures to get him off the field and he walked off. You don’t know what extra damage that can do.”
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But the competition rejected Wilson’s claims on Wednesday, releasing a terse response to what it described as “incorrect media speculation.”
SRP’s review of the incident found that Pickerill did not “attempt to hurry the review of the injury or the removal of the player from the field.”
“The comments attributed to Harry Wilson of the Reds in the media are factually incorrect and whilst they may have been well intending in support of a teammate, he has been issued with a reminder that care must be taken with public comments not to impair the public confidence in the integrity of match officials,” the statement read.
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“In regards to this incident, at no time was the referee made aware of the seriousness of the player’s injury or the need for more time or precautions…
“The incident was also reviewed post match by the independent citing commissioner who found no foul play had occurred by the tacklers.
“The tournament encourages players and coaches to have strong opinions however respect for match officials is a sacrosanct core value of the game and one which we take an unapologetic stance to protect.”
Kiwi whistle-blower Pickerill has been appointed to referee the high profile Hurricanes vs Crusaders game in Wellington on Saturday.
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