'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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Fakatava had a real knack for jackling the ball but a nasty knee inhjury from that put a halt on his development. I think he still does from time to time but I wish he wouldn’t.
I’m guessing refs are not controlling the players leaving their feet because so many of the defending players at the ruck back off with the attacker falling. You keep hearing the refs saying I’m not rewarding that because you have pulled away.
Go to commentsKarefi is from the same mold as Savea, have him in the ABs in a heart beat.
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