All Blacks v Australia: Wallabies defeat the All Blacks at a red card festival in Brisbane

World Rugby needs to wake up before the officials ruin test rugby.

Yes, there was a test match in Brisbane on Saturday night when the Wallabies surprised the All Blacks by beating them 24-22 at Suncorp Stadium.

This was a great night for Wallabies coach Dave Rennie and his team as they reversed the embarrassment of a 43-5 record loss a week earlier, a magnificent effort by the men in green and gold as they showed resilience. mental and physical to reward your new players. Kiwi Chief with his first victory in a test.

Although he was officially a dead rubber with the All Blacks who had already retained the Bledisloe Cup in Sydney, both teams clashed like angry heavyweights showing too much testosterone in a hillbilly lounge.

READ MORE:
* All Blacks v Australia: Wallabies defeat the All Blacks at a red card festival in Brisbane
* Controversy when Ofa Tu’ungafasi sees red in the first quarter for high tackle
* All Blacks v Australia: Noah Lolesio dropped, Reece Hodge will start at 10 for Wallabies

This was a tough and uncompromising test; there were fights, verbal arguments and nearly a punch between All Blacks captain Sam Cane and Wallabies mainstay James Slipper in the first half.

Sadly, that’s not what anyone will want to discuss in the next few days.

Because this was overshadowed by Australian Nic Berry’s decision to cut both teams down to 14 teams when he drew a red card to All Blacks tight head prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Wallabies blind end Lachie Swinton at his test debut, for high tackles in the first half.

If Tu’ungafasi was defending himself in a court of law, he would argue that when Wallabies wing Tom Wright lowered his body height, he didn’t have time to adjust his technique before the point of impact of his shoulder on his chin. .

The problem for Tu’ungafasi, of course, was that Berry and television game official Paul Williams were judge, jury, and executioner, and in no mood to show mercy. So great that Ofa’s time is up.

Many All Blacks fans would undoubtedly say that Swinton’s red card was poetic justice, given that his take on Sam Whitelock was a facsimile of the Tu’ungafasi incident.

And they would be right. Berry and Williams had painted themselves in one corner, and anything but red would have ridiculed them.

Will World Rugby ever have the common sense to adopt the initiative put forward by NZ Rugby during Super Rugby Aotearoa, which said that red card players could be replaced after 20 minutes? Don’t hold your breath.

Not that Berry is over; In the final minute of the first half, he charged Wallaby wing Marika Koroibete with a yellow card for infringing a ruck and did the same to block Scott Barrett of the All Blacks in the fourth quarter.

However, despite all their intent and fury, both groups of players were unable to bring their abilities to the same level.

Beauden Barrett’s highly anticipated start at No. 10 never resulted in fireworks on the baseline as the Wallabies kept in touch through Hodge’s massive boot and pushed their opponents with a combination of fearless defense and fierce transport of the ball.

The All Blacks had egg on their eyes for the Wallabies in the third minute.

As if giving Wright a try didn’t hurt enough, he came out in one piece.

The All Blacks responded with a try to left wing Rieko Ioane five minutes later, a multi-phase cracker after No. 9 Wallabies Nic White ruined a kick touch.

Hodge then scored a penalty to push the Australians ahead 8-5, the last time the scoreboard would change before the All Blacks were down to 14 men.

It was a crazy and frantic game. A belated attempt to block the All Blacks’ replacement for Tupou Vaa’i was not enough to save this. This was the night of the Wallabies.

They deserved the victory. No one can deny that. No one should blame officials for that.

Wallabies 24 (Tom Wright, Taniela Tupou tries; Reece Hodge scam, 4 pens) All black 22 (Rieko Ioane, Codie Taylor, Tupou Vaa’i tries; Jordie Barrett scam, pen). HT: 8-8.