The All Blacks made a stuttering star to their Autumn campaign as they were made to work hard for a 38-31 win against Japan in Tokyo.
Making things worse, Brodie Retallick was shown a 66th-minute red card for dangerous play to set up a nervy finale for New Zealand at a sold-out National Stadium.
The 98-cap veteran could now be a doubt for the All Blacks clash with England next month if he is handed a significant band.
Red Cards incident
Fans comments:
One fan wrote: “If the ref hadn’t allowed all the superman clear outs in the first half it wouldn’t have happened. Some strange officiating at the ruck.”
“A shoulder to the back of the neck, with that velocity, is always a red. Justin Marshall sounds like he’s smoking a massive jiggy to say that [clean out] “wasn’t that bad”.” said a second.
A third commented “Clear red – this will cost a team dearly by World Cup – coaches have to train this out of players,”
Brodie Retallick facts:
- He was a key member of 2015 Rugby World Cup-winning team, the winner of World Rugby Player of the Year in 2014 and is the award’s youngest winner to date
- Retallick made his international debut for New Zealand in 2012 and has been a regular starter ever since
- In his free time, Retallick enjoys cruising in classic cars
- Retallick married Niki Thompson, a nurse, in 2015. Together they have two daughters
Nic White voted the most hated man in rugby and he’s got nobody to blame but himself
#5. Dan Biggar (Wales)
