All Blacks star Scott Barrett has been labelled “a lucky boy” after escaping a card for a “sickening” incident during Saturday's clash with Ireland at Auckland’s Eden Park.
With just a couple of minutes left on the clock, blindside flanker Barrett appeared to catch opposite number Peter O’Mahony to the head with his shoulder in a ruck clear-out near his own line.
English referee Karl Dickson penalised him for not using his arms in the clear-out, but ruled he connected with the body of the veteran Irishman. So he opted not to issue a card, while South African TMO Marius Jonker did not intervene.
Read more: Springboks enforcer tells his side of the story after £9,000 punch brutally KO'd Wales giant Jones
The game ended with New Zealand winning 42-19, running in six tries, with No. 8 Ardie Savea crossing twice. Barrett’s younger brother Jordie also touched down from full-back, with older sibling Beauden landing six conversions at fly-half. But it was the late incident involving O’Mahony which was the big talking point after the match.
English World Cup winner Ben Kay tweeted: “Great performance from the All Blacks - Scott Barrett a lucky boy! Penalised for no arms clear out, referee said he thought it to the body. He was fantastic, but lucky TMO didn’t review his no arms clear out penalty.”
It is a decision which has provoked a storm of protest on social media.
Former WalesOnline rugby correspondent Delme Parfitt commented: “The ref is three metres away staring at it. I mean what is he there for if not to deal with things like this? Red. Red. Red. All day.”
South African rugby writer AP Cronje said: “The referee is two metres away, unobstructed, looking directly at the ruck. If you can’t make a call in that situation then you never will. Dereliction of duty by the entire refereeing contingent. If the referee somehow misses this - which by some inexplicable miracle he did - then the TMO shouldn’t. The compression of the neck is sickening. Barrett doesn't even make an attempt at a proper clean.”
Scottish rugby journalist Jamie Lyall added: "How is Scott Barrett not getting a card for that shot on O'Mahony?"
Barrett has something of a chequered disciplinary record. In 2019, he was red-carded for a shoulder to the neck of Australian captain Michael Hooper, becoming only the fourth New Zealander to be sent off in Test rugby. Then, in April of this year, the Crusaders captain was red carded again for a shoulder to the jaw of Blues prop Alex Hodgman. It remains to be seen whether a citing will follow from his latest contentious act.
Read next:
- South Africa v Wales exact scoreline predicted as prop needs 'game of his life'
- To comprehend the size of the challenge facing Wales in South Africa, you must first understand what the Springboks stand for
- The verdict on the shock Wales team to face South Africa as warrior returns and giants benched
- 'World-class' Wales giant emerges amid heroic late intervention
- 'He has a massive heart!' Springboks stars pick the Wales players they really rate
- Wayne Pivac reveals he hasn't slept properly for three months after what happened
- Wales team news v South Africa as George North and Dan Lydiate return with Tomas Francis left on the bench
