Player sent off after 34 seconds for ‘kung fu fighting’
A Top 14 match between Pau and La Rochelle saw the fastest-ever red card in the competition – after just 34 seconds.
Empieza Pau vs La Rochelle y a los ¡¡¡ 34 segundos !!! sucede esta acción
🟥 Antoine Hastoy pic.twitter.com/chJgamHKJ8
— Fran Capizzi 🏉📺🇦🇷 (@Fran_Capizzi) November 30, 2025
La Rochelle coach Ronan O’Gara came on to the field to protest but was ushered away by referee Jeremy Rozier. However, the Irish coach was later shown a red card in the 57th minute when his off-field comments again reached the ear of the referee.
“A start like that is difficult to digest, to understand,” said O’Gara after the game. “But with a little hindsight, I understand the logic behind the ‘kung fu fighting’: the studs in the opponent’s head.
“It’s hard to believe that there was any intention to hurt the opponent. The referee saw blood, and blood is what decides everything. Are there mitigating circumstances? Yes, I think so.”
Ronan O’Gara could receive a long ban after he was sent off due to a heated exchange with ref Jérémy Rozier during La Rochelle’s 53–33 defeat to Pau.
O’Gara confronted Rozier after Antoine Hastoy saw a straight red for a dangerous play after two minutes pic.twitter.com/416fQsbDr1— Joe Naughton (@JoeNaConnacht) November 30, 2025
Pau won the match 53-33 to move back up to second in the Top 14.
O’Gara, the former Ireland flyhalf, who has been in previous trouble with the French league over comments he has made about referees, also played down his own red card.
“It’s the job of the fourth and fifth officials to pass the message on to the referee,” he said. “I contested a decision. I have to accept that.”
Pau capitalised on the one-man advantage by running in eight tries to La Rochelle’s five to claim the attacking bonus point which leaves them just two points behind Toulouse at the top of the table after 11 rounds.
WATCH: Hooker sees red for flying head-butt
– AFP
Photo: Stu Forster/Getty Images