Jordie Barrett cops it on the chin as veteran Waratahs prop red carded in his return game

Waratahs reserve prop Paddy Ryan was given a red card for a collecting Hurricanes second five eighth Jordie Barrett on the chin during a gang tackle in the 22-18 loss at Leichhardt Oval.

The All Blacks fullback was in the process of being held up by Mark Nawaqanitawase when Ryan came in to effect the tackle but a shoulder connected with Barrett's chin as he was in the process of falling to the ground.

After a TMO review the match officials could not find mitigating circumstances to reduce the tackle to a just a penalty and Ryan was red carded with four minutes remaining.

At the time the Waratahs were behind just by four and on attack in possession just outside the Hurricanes' 22.

The incident gave the Hurricanes a one man advantage for the crucial final minutes and they were able to hold on for another comeback victory over the Australian sides.

Waratahs fans were disappointed with the ruling which they felt secured the win for the visitors and asked how the referees couldn't find mitigating circumstances in what was a routine tackle.

Others asked why Jordie Barrett wasn't mandated to leave the field to undergo an HIA when the tackle was judged to be serious enough to issue a red card.

After finishing his season in Japan, Ryan was flown back to join the Waratahs squad on an SOS short term deal to cover the injury to Harry Johnson-Holmes.

This was his first game for the Waratahs since 2018, where the veteran prop previously played 105 games for the club over a nine year career and was a member of the 2014 side that claimed the Super Rugby title.