“A radical change in the tournament”: the debate over Canan Moodie’s questioned play against Los Pumas

The Pumas ended their participation in the Rugby Championship 2025 with a 29-27 loss to the Springboks which left a lot of room for debate. The best of rugby, on Disney+ Premium Plan.

One of the focuses was the decision of Andrea Piardimatch referee, who considered a play by Canan Moodie which could have been a second yellow card (and expulsion) for interrupting an Argentine attack with an attempted interception.

And beyond what different personalities such as Rassie Erasmus, Nigel Owens or Nick Mallett, social networks also expressed themselves from a publication of Christy DoranAustralian journalist and editor at The Roar, who considered that if the resolution had been different it could have changed the course of the match and even the outcome of the tournament.

“Canan Moodie is a lucky man. After having spent 10 minutes outside, the Springboks number 13 was sanctioned with just a knock-on by Andrea Piardi. A crucial decision. A radical change in the game. A radical change in the tournament,” wrote.

There is no way he could have intercepted that ball with one hand.

I have seen yellows for being given for less of an intentional knock on..

— Bramley1876 🏆🏆⭐️🏆⭐️🏆⭐️🏆🏆 (@Bramley1876) October 4, 2025

The responses did not take long to arrive and several users left their opinion, mostly accompanying Doran’s gaze. “This decision was huge. I could understand it if they reviewed it and formed that opinion. I don’t understand why they didn’t review it”added William Weir.

Meanwhile, John Huyton showed himself “totally agree” with what was stated and added: “It was a totally wrong decision! A turning point”while Darren Sissons wrote: “The worst thing is that every Puma visit to the Boks area is an infringement. Piardi, poor as always”.

User @Bramley1876, for his part, remarked: “There was no way I could intercept that ball with one hand. I’ve seen yellows for less intentional knock ons.” And Micheal O Gallchobhair completed: “It should have been a second yellow card, which is equivalent to a red. The Springboks were very lucky. The referee knew which player was involved and kept the cards to himself.”