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All Blacks great Sir John Kirwan says red cards should be discarded and replaced by a “report” system, after two red cards ruined Australia’s 24-22 Bledisloe Cup victory against the All Blacks.
Both All Blacks mainstay Ofa Tuungafasi and Australian rookie Lachie Swinton were sent off by Nic Berry in a crazy first half in Brisbane on Saturday night, prompting Kirwan’s call.
“I don’t think we should have red cards in rugby. I think we should have a yellow card and a report and then we suffer, ”Kirwan said on Sky Sport.
“I’m with JK. I do not 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, “said fellow former All Black Christian Cullen.
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* All Blacks vs Australia: a night to forget for the men in black in Brisbane
Tuungafasi was sent to pack in the 23rd minute after shooting Tom Wright, who appeared to be falling after being hit low by another defender.
He made contact with Wright’s chin, before Australian Berry and Kiwi TMO Paul Williams considered there was no mitigating factor.
Third Pickard / AP
Referee Nick Berry shows New Zealander Ofa Tuungafasi, right, a red card for a dangerous tackle against the Wallabies in Brisbane on Saturday night.
Kirwan believed there was enough evidence that Wright was falling, saying it was the mitigating factor that should have saved him a red card.
Less than a quarter of an hour later, the Wallabies were down to 14 men when Swinton messed up his technique and beat up Sam Whitelock after restarting.
The contact was nearly identical to the Tuungafasi strike, leaving Berry with no choice but to hit red again, as World Rugby’s crackdown on head contact continues.
Chris Hyde / Getty Images
Ofa Tuungafasi heads to the bin after receiving a red card in the first half of Bledisloe IV in Brisbane.
Former Wallaby-turned-commentator Phil Kearns also let the laws slip and found common ground with his New Zealand counterparts.
“For me, it should be a yellow card and put them on a report and get on with the game,” Kearns said.
“He’s ruining the game and ruining the show.”
Jono Searle / Getty Images
Lachlan Swinton’s debut ended after the first half red card against the All Blacks in Brisbane on Saturday night.
Wallaby legend Tim Horan admitted they were tough decisions to make, but in line with guidelines to ensure player safety.
“The laws are there. I wish there was a way that I 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. “
However, All Blacks coach Ian Foster had no problem with decisions and instead pointed to poor discipline from his players, including Scott Barrett’s brain blast late in the second half, when he played the ball on the ground and received a yellow card.
