All Blacks fullback Jordie Barrett was shown a straight red card in Sunday’s Bledisloe Cup match against the Wallabies for kicking Marika Koroibete in the face.
In the process of collecting a high ball Barrett raised his right leg so high that it struck the Australian winger directly in the face inside the first half hour at Optus Stadium in Perth.
Koroibete immediately went down covering his face and while the incident was probably accidental, referee Damon Murphy presented a red card to Barrett following a review with his TMO Brett Cronan.
“Direct contact with head from the foot. No other result but a red card,” said referee Murphy to Barrett.
Barrett is the sixth All Black to be sent off in a test but former New Zealand international Justin Marshall disagreed with he decision while commentating on Sky Sport.
“I still categorically don’t think that is a red card. I think it was completely unintentional,” said Marshall. “They needed to use a little bit better common sense there.”
At the time the All Blacks were 0-13 up and despite playing more than half the game with 14 men, the visitors went on to win 21-38 in Perth and conclude a Bledisloe whitewash over the Australians. Full Match highlights are available below:
Two years ago at the same stadium Barrett’s brother Scott was also shown a red card against the Wallabies for striking captain Michael Hooper with his elbow.
Jordie, Beaden and Scott Barrett all started Sunday’s Test match and at 24, Jordie was playing his 28th game for the All Blacks before getting his marching orders and he now has 73 caps for the Hurricanes since making his debut four years ago.
Barrett covers the back field from either full back or wing and his long range kicking ability is highly valued by the All Blacks.
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