Warburton red card 2011 - the decision that rocked world rugby

BY Shaywaterworth · Monday Jul 20, 2020

Wales legend Sam Warburton was famously shown a red card in the first half of the 2011 Rugby World Cup semi-final against France.

The open side flanker made a brutal dump tackle on French winger Vincent Clerc which referee Alain Rolland decided was worthy of a straight red card in the 18th minute at Eden Park.

Commentators and pundits were outraged by the decision and while Wales head coach Warren Gatland and Warburton expressed their disappointment, they were gracious in defeat after the French came away with a 9-8 win in Auckland.

To this day it remains one of the most controversial decisions in world rugby and arguably cost Wales a spot in the final against the All Blacks.

Great Tries

4 DAYS AGO

Springbok star scores screamer on debut for Sagamihara Dynaboars
5 DAYS AGO

Bears fly as 100 metre finish already touted as try of the season
2 WEEKS AGO

Hassell-Collins pounces on HUGE Sharks mistake in chaotic scenes
2 WEEKS AGO

Supporters can't believe Saracens Sharp's UNBELIEVABLE finish
6 WEEKS AGO

Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

5 WEEKS AGO

Wallabies wunderkind Sua'ali' and Scotland captain Tuipulotu clash
6 WEEKS AGO

Ireland 'steal' Argentina's opening try as debate rages
7 WEEKS AGO

WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series
11 WEEKS AGO

'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online
11 WEEKS AGO

Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

View All

See It To Believe It

2 WEEKS AGO

Supporters can't believe Saracens Sharp's UNBELIEVABLE finish
6 WEEKS AGO

Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try
9 WEEKS AGO

Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo
10 WEEKS AGO

Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak
11 WEEKS AGO

Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

View All

Funnies

5 DAYS AGO

'A dog with a mallet up its arse could’ve written Johnny’s book' Donnacha O'Callaghan
2 WEEKS AGO

‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment
2 WEEKS AGO

U.S. Army Special Operations Sergeant Major makes big claim about rugby
7 WEEKS AGO

“Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton
7 WEEKS AGO

Mischievous Marcus Smith spotted engaging in the dark arts during All Blacks match

View All

Amateur

102 WEEKS AGO

You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC
102 WEEKS AGO

Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season
125 WEEKS AGO

Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture
125 WEEKS AGO

Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match
126 WEEKS AGO

The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

1 DAY AGO

RugbyDump's top five backrows in 2024
2 WEEKS AGO

‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment
2 WEEKS AGO

Marcus Smith makes big call on his future
5 WEEKS AGO

'Eligible for England' - Fans react to South African star's contract announcement
5 WEEKS AGO

The 19-year-old named the 'future' of English rugby after win against Australia A

View All

Warburton red card 2011 - the decision that rocked world rugby

Related Articles

Fiji Drua player Lomani slapped with ban...

The sending off that rocked the Six Nations...

Wrecking ball beats 10 players to score full...

Trending

'A dog with a mallet up its arse could’ve written Johnny’s book' Donnacha O'Callaghan

2003 World Cup winner Phil Vickery lays it all bare in powerful interview

RugbyDump's top five props of 2024

Bears fly as 100 metre finish already touted as try of the season

Springbok star scores screamer on debut for Sagamihara Dynaboars

Great Tries

Springbok star scores screamer on debut for Sagamihara Dynaboars

Bears fly as 100 metre finish already touted as try of the season

Hassell-Collins pounces on HUGE Sharks mistake in chaotic scenes

Supporters can't believe Saracens Sharp's UNBELIEVABLE finish

Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

Big Hits & Dirty Play

Wallabies wunderkind Sua'ali' and Scotland captain Tuipulotu clash

Ireland 'steal' Argentina's opening try as debate rages

WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

See It To Believe It

Supporters can't believe Saracens Sharp's UNBELIEVABLE finish

Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

Funnies

'A dog with a mallet up its arse could’ve written Johnny’s book' Donnacha O'Callaghan

‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

U.S. Army Special Operations Sergeant Major makes big claim about rugby

“Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

Mischievous Marcus Smith spotted engaging in the dark arts during All Blacks match

Amateur

You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

The Next Dominant Backrow?

Player Features

RugbyDump's top five backrows in 2024

‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

Marcus Smith makes big call on his future

'Eligible for England' - Fans react to South African star's contract announcement

The 19-year-old named the 'future' of English rugby after win against Australia A

Sign In

Thank you for registering

Register

Register now for RugbyDump commenting & enewsletter.