Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

'Outrageous': Outcry over Ofa Tuungafasi red card as All Blacks and Wallabies stars sent off in Bledisloe Cup IV

By Online Editors
Ofa Tuungafasi (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Prop Ofa Tuungafasi has become the fifth All Black to be sent off in a test match following a tackle which contacted the head in the fourth Bledisloe Cup test in Brisbane.

The incident occurred in the 23rd minute when Tuungafasi hit Wallabies player Tom Wright in the jaw with his shoulder.

Refeee Nic Berry said the tackle was enough for a red card.

Cyril Brownlie, Colin Meads, Sonny Bill Williams and Scott Barrett are the only previous All Blacks to be sent off.

Newstalk ZB commentator Elliott Smith called the decision “Ridiculous, frankly”.

Sky commentator and former All Black Justin Marshall also disagreed with the call.

“I can’t agree with that. Having played the game and understanding the contact areas and how there is that tiny microsecond intent and contact,” he said.

“The intent was never to hit him there from what I saw. I certainly feel the player carrying the ball, Tom Wright, didn’t help the situation.”

An even worse tackle saw Wallabies flanker Lachlan Swinton get his marching orders six minutes before halftime to force the home side down to 14 men.

Fans worldwide took to social media to express their thoughts, with a clear division evident among supporters over whether the decision to send Tuungafasi off was correct.

ADVERTISEMENT

Some labelled the decision as “outrageous”, while others believed referee Berry was “100%” right in his call.

Video Spacer

Healthspan Elite Performance of the Week | How Richie Mo’unga bossed the All Blacks in Bledisloe Cup III

Video Spacer

Healthspan Elite Performance of the Week | How Richie Mo’unga bossed the All Blacks in Bledisloe Cup III

 

 

 

ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

FEATURE
FEATURE Will the Crusaders' decline spark a slow death for New Zealand rugby? Will the Crusaders' decline spark a slow death for New Zealand rugby?
Search