1
Watch - All Blacks prop Angus Ta'avao sent off
By PA
New Zealand lost to Ireland in Dunedin after being reduced to 14-man after prop Angus Ta’avao was sent off for a head clash with Ireland centre Garry Ringrose.
Ireland led 10-0 at the midway point of the first half following an early try from prop Andrew Porter.
Porter powered over inside three minutes to round off a period of sustained Irish pressure, with Sexton adding the extras and later landing a long-range penalty.
The All Blacks were then temporarily reduced to 14 men after winger Leicester Fainga’anuku was sin-binned for a late challenge on Hansen.
New Zealand were temporarily reduced to 13 men after prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi was yellow carded for tackling Garry Ringrose off the ball.
Angus Ta’avao was brought on as cover for Tu’ungafasi and then promptly sent off following head-on-head contact with Ringrose.
Ta’avao was left bloodied by his challenge, while the stricken Ringrose also departed the field, with Bundee Aki replacing him.
The red card also lead to Ardie Savea being removed from the action at next scrum reset, a decision that came back to haunt them minutes later when the decision became permanent.
Australian journalist Christy Doran wrote: Nothing but red card. All Blacks replacement prop Angus Ta’avao has to be sent off. No drop, little mitigation. Red."
Irish Daily Mail reporter Rory Keane noted: "Angus Ta’avao becomes the sixth All Black to be sent off in Test history. The fourth in 50 years..."
Despite their numerical disadvantage, New Zealand only trailed 10-7 at the break.
Beauden Barrett dived over after the ball squirted out of a ruck to reduce the deficit following relentless All Blacks pressure just before the interval, with Jordie Barrett adding the conversion.
Ireland vice-captain James Ryan had moments earlier been shown a yellow card for cynically stopping an All Blacks quick-tap penalty.
Ireland would go on to claim a famous win, their first on New Zealand soil.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Jake White: Ireland, Australia and Wales have the same problem
3
David Campese names his Springbok world player of the year winner
4
Let's be real about these All Blacks
5
Latest Comments
The winner breaks into the (key) top 6 in the World rankings and locks the other out (Australia will lead Scot by 1.6 points if they win). Australia won't get a chance to improve until next years RC so this match is vital. Scotland must hold the line for their part.
Australia are obviously well capable of beating Ireland but with accumulating fatigue becoming a factor I expect an all out performance from Australia tomorrow with Ireland viewed as a bonus.
It will be hopefully a cracker but this is the type of match that Scotland must start winning to take that step up that they crave.
Go to commentsAgree.
Ireland are off their feet at the majority of their attacking rucks. Its so common that commentators don't even notice it. We hear about "clear outs" and "clean outs", which don't exist in the Laws (the correct word is "binding"), and the obligation to "endeavour to stay on your feet" is nowhere to be seen.
Ireland is not the only team to adopt this coached flopping and diving at attacking rucks, but its clearly part of their quick ruck ball strategy.
No need for law changes here. We just need refs to award penalties when players don't endeavour to stay on their feet.
Go to comments