Shannon Frizell was once again yellow carded for a nasty clearout on Michael Hooper in the Japan Rugby League One last weekend.

The ex-All Blacks star, who was a crucial player during their run to the 2023 Rugby World Cup final, was sin-binned while playing for Toshiba Brave Lupus.

In the 29th minute of the match with his side 21-3 in front, Frizell looked to counter-ruck when the hosts were in possession of the ball. However, in doing so, his shoulder connected with the head and neck area of Wallabies centurion Michael Hooper, who appeared slightly stunned as he fell backwards.

Went to the bunker

It was duly reviewed by the officials and they decided it met the yellow card threshold, with it being sent to the bunker.

Surprisingly, it was not upgraded to red and the back-rower was able to return to the field, helping Toshiba to a 33-22 triumph over Toyota Verblitz.

Observers online duly slammed the actions of the flanker, with one person writing on Reddit: “Absolute grub move. I hope that Hooper decks him later.”

Another added: “No attempt to wrap at all, straight shoulder to the back of neck.. grub.”

It is not the first time Frizell has had issues with discipline with the most high profile coming in the Rugby World Cup final.

The back-rower was once again sin-binned on that occasion for landing on the leg of Bongi Mbonambi, an incident that took the Springboks hooker out of the game.

Considering World Rugby have looked to clamp down on those types of clearouts over recent years, many were surprised that it was not upgraded.

All Blacks captain Sam Cane becomes first ever player to be red carded in Rugby World Cup final

More Frizell ill-discipline

Ill-discipline has continued to be a theme for Frizell during the 2024/25 Japanese campaign with him already serving a one-match ban for picking up three yellow cards.

“Looks very deliberate. The little tap of the hand with Hooper at the end almost seemed disingenuous if not so. No Fs given by Frizell, it seems,” one person wrote.

Frizell has also been in trouble off the field as just under four years ago the ex-All Black was charged with domestic violence, although he escaped conviction after applying for a diversion.

“Just blatant and unnecessary but as others have commented not surprised either,” one person wrote about the Hooper clearout, while another added: “Horrendous, and not the least bit surprising.”

The bunker system also came in for criticism, one which people claim enables referees and officials to absolve themselves of responsibility.

“And that’s why I hate the bunker review… From the 5 second look I just took that’s a red card everyday of the week. No arm clear out straight to the back of the head! Ref bottled it,” one person added.

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Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/absolute-grub-move-ex-all-blacks-star-somehow-escapes-red-card-again-after-horrendous-hit-on-michael-hooper