The numbers that show Super Rugby Pacific players are no longer getting the message about high tackles

Angus Bell's surprise clearance for a tip tackle on All Blacks captain Sam Cane in last Friday night's Waratahs-Chiefs match has not gone unnoticed.

It has kicked off yet more debate about the operations and motivations of the Super Rugby Pacific judiciary this season.

But this seemingly weekly debate is overlooking a bigger issue within the game.

A spate of red cards in recent weeks — 11 of the 12 red cards handed out in 2022 have come in the past five rounds — has led to a spate of headlines on both sides of the Tasman referring to a «crackdown» on high contact and dangerous tackles.

But that's not true either.

The current guidelines, and refereeing and judicial framework — implemented to rid the game of contact with the head — were first issued by World Rugby in November 2016 to come into effect from January the following year.

The 2022 season is the sixth edition of Super Rugby to be played under these guidelines.

The way high and dangerous contact with the head is being officiated hasn't changed, but more players are finding themselves sent off and suspended because of poor tackling techniques.

Clearly behaviour around tackle heights from players — and coaches — has not changed.

Back in 2019, eight red cards were handed out among a total of 84 for the season. This equates to roughly a card every 1.5 games and a red card every 15.

Nine players were suspended that year and all for foul play of some degree, but around half were for things other than high tackles, with striking and stomping also earning suspensions.

Before the coronavirus pandemic hit in March 2020, 46 games were played over seven rounds across five countries under the «traditional» format of Super Rugby, which by then included Japan's Sunwolves and Argentina's