Ospreys winger Luke Morgan, right, has defended his challenge on Ethan Hooker that left the Springbok star with a dislocated shoulder. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
Wales and Ospreys wing Luke Morgan has reportedly defended his actions from this past weekend, which resulted in a serious injury to Ethan Hooker during a United Rugby Championship (URC) clash in Swansea.
A smart piece of counter-attacking rugby by the Sharks saw Hooker unleashed in the midfield as the first half came to a close. The Springbok wing streaked away from inside his own half to score a crucial try just before half-time, diving over the whitewash as he did so. Morgan, who had attempted to chase down Hooker, then dived on his opposite number in a belaboured attempt to detach the ball and affect a tackle.
The incident resulted in Hooker’s shoulder being dislocated, as he angrily stared down a retreating Morgan. Replays appeared to show that the attempted tackle involved no wrapping of the arms by Morgan, other than a leading forearm into Hooker's back, in what has been described as a 'dogshot'.
The Sharks would go on to lose the match 21-17.
In a post-match comment made on Morgan’s Instagram, the 33-year-old responded to criticism of his actions after user pdf7777 charged: “Falling on a player after he was clearly going to score is pure filth. Intended to hurt and succeed (sic). Congrats.”
Morgan responded, stating: “He clearly hasn’t scored until the ball is grounded, there for (sic) because the ball wasn’t grounded means the ball is still in play and I am fully legal to make that tackle, so you might want to think again about that one.”
At the time, the incident was not discussed or reviewed by the match officials.
Luke Morgan's post on Instagram.
Image: Instagram
Hooker, meanwhile, could be out of action for three to four months, depending on the severity of the injury. This timeline would see him miss the rest of the Sharks’ URC season and potentially the start of the Springbok campaign in the World Rugby Nations Championship against England, Scotland, and Wales in June.
As of the time of publication, the URC had not yet updated their citing list regarding the incident.