Rugby legend shoved TWICE on touchline in shocking scenes as stunned fans call it ‘madness’
RONAN O’GARA was needlessly shoved TWICE in shocking scenes.
And fans piled in to defend the former Ireland international.
Rugby union legend O’Gara, 46, is now head coach for La Rochelle.
But in yesterday’s Top 14 tie against Clermont Auvergne, he was in the thick of the action.
The ex-fly-half was standing on the sidelines among the La Rochelle substitutes and staff when the rugby ball flew towards him.
O’Gara stepped back and turned away to shield himself from the ball striking him in the face.
But as it bounced off his head, Clermont fly-half Benjamin Urdapilleta tried to take an ambitious catch and restart play quickly with his side trailing 10-8.
However, after being denied the chance to get the game going again, Urdapilleta inexplicably pushed O’Gara in the back in frustration.
O’Gara was clearly aggrieved and protested his innocence.
But as he did so, raging Urdapilleta stepped forward and forcibly barged him again in the chest – later accusing O’Gara of deliberately blocking him.
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The 37-year-old Argentine, who kicked the winning penalty in the 11-10 comeback victory for Clermont, said: “He’s smart, I think he did it on purpose to prevent me to receive the ball.
“At the time of the action, we were behind in the score so it was complicated.”
Viewers on Twitter lauded Ireland hero O’Gara for resisting the urge to retaliate – but slammed the Clermont man for his pathetic behaviour.
One said: “This is shocking. Fair play to Ronan O’Gara for not reacting here. Very poor form.”
Another wrote: “If this had been a footballer can you imagine the media storm…. not to be even carded let alone being sent off is utterly incompetent of the rugby authorities… plaudits to Ronan O’Gara for not reacting.”
A third added: “Not sure what the player actually expected O’Gara to do? Evaporate?”
A fourth typed: “How it’s not completely kicked off there I’ll never know! Totally inexcusable. Must surely be cited.”
And a final user commented: “Red card and lengthy ban for an unjustified double assault by the player.”
Born in California, O’Gara spent his entire 16-year club career with Munster, winning two Champions Cups.
He racked up a whopping 128 caps for Ireland, second only to Brian O’Driscoll, and is the country’s record points scorer with 1,083.
As a coach, he led Racing 92 to Top 14 glory in 2015-16 and has won back-to-back Champions Cups with La Rochelle after defeat in the 2021 final.