Referee Angus Gardner sends off Benjamin Fall following a dangerous tackle. Photosport
Referee Angus Gardner sends off Benjamin Fall following a dangerous tackle. Photosport
For the second time in 12 months, a player has been sent off at Westpac Stadium.
French fullback Benjamin Fall has been red-carded in the 11th minute of the second test against the All Blacks.
Fall took out All Blacks first five-eighth Beauden Barrett as the New Zealand number 10 was contesting for the ball in the air.
After a number of replays Australian referee Angus Gardner decided Fall was not realistic in his tackle attempt as the Frenchman failed to jump, taking out Barrett's legs. With Barrett landing on his head the tackle was deemed dangerous.
Barrett left the field after the incident for a head injury assessment and did not return, being replaced by Damian McKenzie.
At the time of the tackle France were leading 3-0 after an early penalty. The All Blacks went onto score three tries in the first half to take a 21-6 lead into halftime but the French put in a gustsy second half performance.
Despite a one-man advantage for most of the match, the All Blacks weren't as impressive as last week winning 26-13
Benjamin Fall's tackle that saw him get a red card. Photo / Getty
Last year Sonny Bill Williams was sent off at the same ground against the Lions.
Fall is the 12th French player to be red-carded off in a test match and the second to be red-carded against the All Blacks. Frenchman Jean-Jacques Crenca was also sent off in Wellington in the final test at Athletic Park in 1999 for stomping.
"We need some common sense and common sense says that should have been yellow card," Sir John Kirwan said on Sky Television at halftime.
The incident comes after calls were made following the first test that the All Blacks should have been reduced to 14 men in Auckland. All Blacks prop Ofa Tuungafasi hit French winger Remy Grosso with a high tackle, which resulted in a double fracture to Grosso's face.
World Rugby's Citing Commissioner reviewed the tackle and gave Tuungafasi a warning, deeming it wasn't worthy of a red card.
The reaction on social media was mixed over whether Fall's tackle attempt was worthy of a yellow or red card.
12' | RED CARD! Benjamin Fall has been given a red card for his dangerous challenge on @beaudenbarrett. Score remains 0-3 to France.#NZLvFRA π³πΏπ«π·
So many comments on the timeline about the Red card - but that is the rule. He wasnβt in realistic position to catch the ball, regardless of his eyes on the Ball. He was out jumped. Barrett landing on his head also factored in.Yes ruins the contest but that is the correct ruling
Red cards against the All Blacks Benjamin Fall (France), Westpac Stadium, 2018 Damian de Allende (South Africa),Cape Town, 2017 Bismarck du Plessis (South Africa), Eden Park, 2013 Jamie Heaslip (Ireland), New Plymouth, 2012 Simon Shaw (England), Eden Park, 2004 Jean-Jacques Crenca (France, Athletic Park, 1999 Danny Grewcock (England), Carisbrook 1998 Andre Venter (South Africa), Eden Park, 1997 Bill Cavubati (Fiji), Albany, 1997 Huw Richards (Wales), Brisbane, 1987
