'Outrageous': Outcry over Ofa Tuungafasi red card as All Blacks and Wallabies stars sent off in Bledisloe Cup IV
Prop Ofa Tuungafasi has become the fifth All Black to be sent off in a test match following a tackle which contacted the head in the fourth Bledisloe Cup test in Brisbane.
The incident occurred in the 23rd minute when Tuungafasi hit Wallabies player Tom Wright in the jaw with his shoulder.
Refeee Nic Berry said the tackle was enough for a red card.
Cyril Brownlie, Colin Meads, Sonny Bill Williams and Scott Barrett are the only previous All Blacks to be sent off.
Newstalk ZB commentator Elliott Smith called the decision "Ridiculous, frankly".
Sky commentator and former All Black Justin Marshall also disagreed with the call.
"I can't agree with that. Having played the game and understanding the contact areas and how there is that tiny microsecond intent and contact," he said.
"The intent was never to hit him there from what I saw. I certainly feel the player carrying the ball, Tom Wright, didn't help the situation."
An even worse tackle saw Wallabies flanker Lachlan Swinton get his marching orders six minutes before halftime to force the home side down to 14 men.
Fans worldwide took to social media to express their thoughts, with a clear division evident among supporters over whether the decision to send Tuungafasi off was correct.
Some labelled the decision as "outrageous", while others believed referee Berry was "100%" right in his call.
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James O'Connor comments are correct. Having been to the trainings at CHCH 's Malvern Park, there trainings have been fast and furious . They have stepped up a gear on previous seasons. James looks sharp. As do all the new guys. Ethan Blackadder is in great nick. I believe he is going to have great 2025. Off the field a good guy. Same goes for guys like Dominic Gardiner, Cullen Grace, George Bower. As has been the case for the last few years, great seeing Ethan and Dominic following in the footsteps of there Dads Todd Blackadder and Angus Gardiner, who were big parts of the first title winning Crusader teams, Todd the captain.
Go to commentsIt’s very clearly not intentional.
Certainly makes eye contact, and it’s certainly reckless which means he’s facing anything between an 8 - 208 week ban. Which is quite a range!
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