Richie McCaw sin-binned: How Twitter reacted

Where were you when Richie McCaw got sin-binned? That's the question many are asking on Twitter this morning, following the All Blacks close win against Argentina this morning in their first match in Pool C of the Rugby World Cup.

seeing Richie McCaw get yellow carded is like seeing one of those meteor showers that happen once every 300 years #wherewereyou #RWC2015

— Dr Michaela James (@MickeyLJ) September 20, 2015

Overseas viewers expressed jubilation after the captain was given a yellow card for tripping Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe towards the end of the first half - with one Twitter user comparing the occasion to "one of those meteor showers that happen once every 300 years".

The incident was met by jeers from the crowd and was considered to be an historic occasion by those watching and commenting online.

Neil Squires described the booing on Twitter as, "Unregal treatment for rugby royalty".

Richie McCaw copped it loud and long from the Wembley crowd after being sin-binned for a trip. Unregal treatment for rugby royalty.

— neil squires (@squiresneil1) September 20, 2015

Randall Munro dismissed the hecklers and said that many would "fall over themselves for a selfie" if they bumped into McCaw on the street.

You just know all these people booing McCaw would fall over themselves for a selfie if they bumped into him in the street. #NZLvARG

— Randall Munro (@randallmunro) September 20, 2015

Why the crowd gotta boo Richie like that tho?? Have some respect #NZLvARG

— Gina (@gina4925) September 20, 2015

What another day of unexpected rugby! #NZLvARG was amazing. Atmosphere was fantastic, World Cup worthy, but really, stop booing McCaw!!

— Trudi Camilleri (@TrudiCamilleri) September 20, 2015

New Zealanders were quick to take offence to the crowd's booing of McCaw, who is largely seen as a national hero. However, it seems his reputation differs slightly outside of New Zealand.

"Where were you the day McCaw finally got caught?" asked Stodd on Twitter.

Another user quickly answered that question, tweeting "I was there son, I was watching the day Richie McCaw got caught offside".

Where were you the day McCaw finally got caught? #RWC2015 #NZLvARG pic.twitter.com/v5u6nOzCNL

— Stodd (@_TheStodd) September 20, 2015

'I was there son, I was watching the day Richie Mccaw got caught offside' #NZLvARG

— Em (@Embryonic_Wings) September 20, 2015

McCaw's yellow card was seen as just desserts for many critics, who derided his style of play.

Tregaskis1 described him as "a player who has worked the murky edge of laws for 143 matches".

Richie McCaw's yellow card today was just 3rd of his career. Astonishing for a player who has worked the murky edge of laws for 143 matches.

— Tregaskis (@Tregaskis1) September 20, 2015

Commentator saying that Richie's little trip stunt was "uncharacteristic". Um have you even watched Richie play before?! #NZLvARG #RWC2015

— Hannah Mooney (@HannahMooney_x) September 20, 2015

"Commentator saying that Richie's little trip stunt was "uncharacteristic". Um have you even watched Richie play before?!" Hannah Mooney asked.

Ferg Campbell compared McCaw's reception in England to that of Quade Cooper in New Zealand.

Really New Zealand, so many moaning at McCaw being booed but we don't see a problem when we treat Quade Cooper the same way. #NZLvARG

— Ferg Campbell - boosted (@OtagoLad) September 20, 2015

"Really New Zealand, so many moaning at McCaw being booed but we don't see a problem when we treat Quade Cooper the same way," he wrote.

However, there was one thing everyone could agree on - that Sonny Bill Williams is just great. So let's just agree to disagree on McCaw and focus on SBW for now.

My mum could not speak higher of @SonnyBWilliams at the mo…… Tempted to go "It's a team sport!" #NZLvARG #AllBlackEverything #RWC2015 🏉🌏🏆

— Julia (@Gleeky_Geek66) September 20, 2015

- nzherald.co.nz