‘Wasn’t a red’: Ian Foster explains the ‘facts’ of Scott Barrett’s send off

Lock Scott Barrett may have been sent off against the Springboks on Friday night, but coach Ian Foster has explained how “it wasn’t a red” ahead of any potential judiciary decisions.

With a sense of uncertainty surrounding Barrett going into next month’s Rugby World Cup opener against France, coach Foster has attempted to clarify the situation.

Playing against the Springboks at Twickenham, Barrett ultimately paid the price for the All Blacks’ tough start. New Zealand gave away a staggering number of penalties, and eventually, referee Matthew Carley had enough.

Barrett was sent to the sideline for 10 minutes after an infringement, and the second rower was joined by captain Sam Cane shortly after. The All Blacks’ poor discipline wasn’t helping their cause.

The world champion Springboks took a 14-nil lead, and with the half-time break rapidly approaching, they appeared to be sailing through smooth waters.

But, from an All Blacks perspective, the worst was yet to come.

Referee Carley and the TMO reviewed an act of foul play which involved Barrett, and agreed that the incident warranted at least another yellow.

Barrett was sent to the sin bin for a second time, which also went under review for a straight red card. But two yellows made a red anyway, so Barrett’s night was over.

“The facts are he got a yellow card, the first yellow card was not for foul play. The second yellow card was a yellow card, so it wasn’t a red card,” coach Foster explained on Saturday.

“The judiciary, fortunately, don’t judge people on the reaction of people on the opposition, they judge it on the facts.”

Scott Barrett etched his name into All Blacks history on Friday, and not for the right reasons, after becoming the first player ever to receive two red cards at Test level.

Barrett was sent off four years ago against Australia in Perth – mirroring this in the sense that this incident was also in the leadup to rugby’s showpiece event.

“They always feel gutted because they want to give their best and Scott’s at the top of the tree when it comes to that,” Foster added.

“I think he’s fine. We just go back into process mode now, try and take the emotion out of it, because there’s a lot happening in that first half.

“There’s a lot of emotion in the shed afterwards but we’ve just got to calm down and say, ‘We’ll, that’s World Cups.’ So really, if you’re looking for a dress rehearsal, that’s perfect.”