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Former All Blacks John Kirwan and Christian Cullen, along with former Wallabies Phil Kearns and Tim Horan, argued that the red cards were “ ruining the show, ” as strict enforcement by referee Nic Berry removed shine to Australia’s victory 24-22.
Ardie Savea (R) of New Zealand faces Australia’s Michael Hooper during the Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup rugby match in Brisbane on November 7, 2020. Image: AFP
WELLINGTON – Rugby greats in New Zealand and Australia have called for red cards to be removed after Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup event in Brisbane was marred by both teams being reduced to 14 men for most of the game .
Former All Blacks John Kirwan and Christian Cullen, along with former Wallabies Phil Kearns and Tim Horan, argued that the red cards were “ruining the show” as the strict enforcement of the laws by referee Nic Berry dull Australia’s victory 24-22.
Twice the match was further reduced to 14 against 13 when players from both sides spent 10 minutes in the sin bin after receiving yellow cards.
The red cards were in line with World Rugby’s crackdown on head contact, which does not allow for an accidental collision.
But the former All Blacks and Wallabies stars argued that if the contact is not malicious, then there should be a provision for the tackler to be offside for 10 minutes, with any additional penalties decided after the game.
The Wallabies’ victory came after being whipped by the All Blacks 43-5 the previous week in Sydney, but instead of focusing after the game on their surprising change, the central topic of conversation was the rigid rules of rugby union.
All Blacks mainstay Ofa Tu’ungafasi was sent off in the 23rd minute for connecting his shoulder with Tom Wright’s jaw. Wallaby’s wing Lachie Swinton followed 12 minutes later for a similar high shot over Sam Whitelock.
Neither Wright nor Whitelock needed medical attention and were not asked to conduct a head injury evaluation.
“I don’t think we should have a red card in rugby. I think we should have a yellow card and ‘in the report’ and you suffer later,” Kirwan said on Sky Sport.
Cullen added: “I don’t agree at all with the red cards. Ten minute break, put it on the report, someone else can come in. It just ruins the game, seriously.”
On Fox Sports in Australia, Kearns agreed with the All Blacks.
“There has to be a better way. For me, it should be a yellow card, put them in a report and then go to the judiciary. It’s ruining the game, ruining the show.”
Horan had some sympathy for referee Berry, saying that under current law he had no choice but to expel Tu’ungafasi and Swinton.
“The laws are there. I wish there was a way that you could give a yellow card and then put the player on a report, and then they can go back on the field or you can really replace them after 10 minutes.
Another former Wallaby, Justin Harrison, said that while player safety is paramount, the rules of the game must take into account that neither Wright nor Whitelock appeared to be injured and that the collisions were not deliberate.
“We know that players don’t come out with the intention of ripping people’s heads off, what they do is with the intention of hitting people as hard as they can,” Harrison said.
“When you move as fast as you can and as hard as you can and you have 125 kg that is committed to a goal, it is very difficult to change that decision framework.”
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