Horwill fumes after ‘gouge’ call

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IRATE Reds skipper James Horwill has fumed that the gouging send-off for Ed O'Donoghue was a farce and that Super Rugby is being ruined by a slow-down bug.

Horwill knew he was risking a $5000 fine or more with Saturday night's stinging post-match criticism but shot from the hip anyway at the pivotal call in the 30-27 loss.

Replacement lock O'Donoghue clearly gave Rebels skipper Scott Higginbotham, a former Wests clubmate, a heavy facial as they grappled on the ground.

It was stupid but it will be argued at his judicial hearing that it did not cross the line to raking or gouging of the eyes.

Reds lock Ed O'Donoghue was red-carded after this incident with Rebels captain Scott Higginbotham. Source: FoxSports

Horwill's angst was with the first movement of a Reds attacking lineout already starting in the 79th minute before the Television Match Official intervened and ultimately forced a red card decision from referee Steve Walsh.

He shifted play 50m downfield to a deciding Rebels penalty goal.

"I've played 150 professional games of rugby and I've never ever ever seen that happen before," Horwill said.

"This spectacle of Super Rugby is being ruined. There's too much going back and slowing of the game. It's getting beyond a joke.

"Super Rugby has always been about expansive rugby but it's going out of the game. The Rebels defended well but there were no repercussions, no yellow cards, for slowing tactics when we were in the attacking zone."

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Higginbotham looked to have nudged a head into O'Donoghue's head. It appeared to be the trigger but Horwill had no on-field joy trying to get Walsh to go back to that incident with the TMO.

"There was a pretty clear clash of heads, intentional or not," Horwill said.

"From my experience of eye gouging, there's a mark. There was no mark on Higgers.

"Higgers thought he was in trouble (for an infringement). He was surprised (at the gouging call). Come on.

"At every breakdown, there are hands, arms, elbows, knees. That's the reality of a physical game. You can't pick one moment out and not go back for every single one in every game."

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The emotion of a sixth-straight loss all fed into Horwill's despair and the feeling that referee Walsh failed to issue yellow cards on the Rebels were slowing the Reds attack close to the tryline.

Reds coach Richard Graham thought it "ridiculous" that play should be put on rewind when the lineout had already started.

Rebels coach Tony McGahan celebrated a hugely satisfying win as a "very important night for the club and the direction of this team."

He thought Walsh was justified with his red card call.

"Thankfully the fourth official came over the top, reviewed it and made a decision," McGahan said.

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Rebels flanker Scott Fuglistaller added: "Anything around the head you can't touch. It's sacrosanct."

Rebels matchwinner Luke Burgess was helped off with a twisted knee in the second half but McGahan said he did not expect it to be major damage.

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