Crazy rugby punch-up

It’s amazing just how much rugby has changed in the past 14 years, especially when you take a look at this video from 1996 of Australian rugby player Michael Brial unleashing a flurry of punches against New Zealand’s Frank Bunce . . . It’s an incredibly violent assault.

Is he thrown into the sin bin or shown a red card? Not likely, simply a chat from the ref to Michael Brial and a penalty to New Zealand, and off we go. In this age of video replays, agitated assistance from touch judges, disciplinary hearings etc this guy would have been suspended for many moons. Looking at this, the changes have been for the good. Commentary recommended.

NOW SEE BAKKIES’ MAD HEADBUTT