‘What do I say to his wife and kids if he ends up in the hospital?’
Those were the emotive words of a fired up Pat Lam post-match at Ashton Gate despite his side beating Northampton Saints 47-10.
The Bristol Bears director of rugby was still spewing over the treatment of his co-captain Siale Piutau who was banned for three games on Monday night by the RFU disciplinary panel for striking a player during a mass brawl at the end of Friday night’s win over Worcester Warriors.
Both Piutau and Worcesters’ Andrew Kitchener were banned for the same amount of time, three games, despite the Warriors lock throwing the first punches, landing them and allegedly swearing at referee Wayne Barnes.
Kitchener was shown red on the night and Siale Piutau a yellow.
An explosive Lam said: “I am extremely frustrated.
“Siale is being attacked by two guys. He is 5ft 11in, they are 6ft 6 and 6ft 6 coming in and our game should be a safe place but for two guys to come in and particularly one [Andrew Kitchener] to start swinging at him.
“He has two choices.
“Our game says you are not allowed to strike back but he has had five concussions. If he gets whacked in the head [he could get really hurt], it is lucky he blocked the first one, if he gets whacked in the head…
“We have had Will Hurrell who had his career ended [for a blow to the head in a tackle back in January].
“Siale is getting pummelled in the head, if he doesn’t strike back he can’t defend himself which he can in common law.
“In common law you can defend yourself but on the rugby field you can’t, you just have to defend it. You have got to be able to have self defence.
“It was an unprovoked attack.
“The message that you can do that, start a fight and get the same penalty as someone defending himself is wrong
“There needs to be real clarity and a shake up because the message to have come out of that was just wrong.
“He has children and a wife and he is a big leader in our team, to be put out there like he has is not great.
“I don’t think it is great for our game.
“You have got to have the right to self defence.
“What do I say to his wife and children if he gets a whack in the head - sorry your husband is in hospital.
“We talk in this game about mental wellness and safety but to go into that disciplinary process I was absolutely disappointed and I just hope some good can come out of it.
“Things have got to change because player safely is important.”
