'Absolutely atrocious' - Wayne Barnes hammered over questionable call
Referee Wayne Barnes came in for heavy criticism online after yellowing carding French prop Uini Atonio in the Guinness Six Nations second round match between Ireland and France in the Aviva Stadium.
Barnes pulled up shy of handing the giant tighthead a straight red for a highly suspect hit and he's being slaughtered online for the call.
The giant La Rochelle clattered Ireland hooker Rob Herring was full body contact that clearly rocked the Ulsterman's head backwards 30 minutes into a pulsating contest.
Despite most expecting a clear red to brandished, on TMO review Barnes argued that there wasn't a 'high degree of danger' despite Herring having to leave the field for a HIA, which he didn't return from.
In match commentary for RTE television, Donal Lenihan said he was 'flabbergasted' by the decision.
BBC rugby journalist Tom English wrote: "Joke decision by Wayne Barnes. Absolutely atrocious refereeing. Redder than red card, that."
Clinical Lead of Rugby Player Ireland, Mark Smyth, posted: "Absolutely inexcusable from Wayne Barnes not protecting players that was a red card no debate."
Ireland women's player Jenny Murphy wrote: "No one wants a red card ...but that's a red card."
Welsh rugby youtuber Andrew Forde wrote: "Clear cut red card for Atonio that. Not sure how there’s any mitigation whatsoever."
Renowned Irish commentator Ryle Nugent wrote: "First half: brilliant, breathless, physically brutal. Lowe try shouldn’t have been awarded. Atonio yellow card should have been red. Two outstanding teams in an outstanding game that u can’t take ur eyes off.. phew"
Another fan noted: "Wayne Barnes doesn’t often get those wrong but that’s an awful decision for the safety of the game. How much contact before the head contact?? Not a high degree of danger?"
There were many far less measured responses from Ireland fans, who were irate with the call.
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This is all being blown totally out of proportion. First of all, since half the Irish team isn’t Irish - it’s very likely that none of the Irish players said that at all and, thus, we’re not being arrogant. Second, since half the Irish team is Kiwi - it’s very likely the Kiwi players were predicting a NZ SA World Cup final. Which they got spot on. Good on them!
Go to commentsAha. An Irishman with logic! Follow the flow: - Ireland peaks with a >80% win record between 2020 and 2023. And then… - crashes out of another QF at the WC; - Beat a poor French Team; - Beat 6N wooden spoonists Italy; - Play shite against eventual wooden spoonists Wales; - Lose against the most boring, “the worst English team ever” , a team widely regarded as unable to attack; - scrape through against Scotland. This article, No - Trimble, is on the money! Except for one glaring statement: _The Springboks have a few aces in the hole in this debate being the reigning world champions and official world number ones_ There is no debate, boys and girls. There it is. In black and white. “Reigning World Champions and OFFICIAL world number ones”. Come July, the overrated Andy Farrell and this overhyped team are going to enter into a world of hurt.
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