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
We all love to hate. For every force of good there is in rugby union, there is an equal force of bad to provide balance. A yin to their yang. For every hero, a villain.
As much fun as it is to see the sport's most treasured icons succeed, audiences can sometimes take equal pleasure in seeing a star plummet from the heavens and fall to the depths below.
We've compiled a list of those who, whether it be for their antics on or off the pitch, have developed an unenviable reputation in the game, not just among certain sets of fans or clubs, but by the entire football population.
#5. Dan Biggar (Wales)
Biggar is the epitome of players you hate until they are on your team.The way the fly-half continues to moan to referees vociferously has seemingly only got worse throughout his career. It got so bad that popular online personality and diehard Scotland fan Glove39 made a video called ‘birdman’ mocking the way in which he always raises his arms in frustration to officials.
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 17: A dejected Dan Biggar of Wales holds his head in his hands following defeat in the 2015 Rugby World Cup Quarter Final match between South Africa and Wales at Twickenham Stadium on October 17, 2015 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
#4. Mike Brown (England)
In his own words, the fullback is a 'marmite player' with fans either loving or hating him. A skinhead who enjoys confrontation is not the traditional mould for an England No15.
#3. Owen Farrell (England)
Farrell fits the label “our guy” better than most, meaning you love to hate him unless he’s in your squad. Then you’d go to the end’s of the earth to defend him. The England captain, also known as 'Shoulder boy' for his high tackling, does himself no favours with his poor tackling technique.
#2. Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)
The world Cup-winning lock is undoubtedly world-class, but he is also one of the dirtiest players in the sport. If your team has played against him, you will not be a fan. A proper sh**house, but huge biceps.
#1. Nic White (Australia)
White has become arguably the most unpopular player in world rugby over the past month and the Kiwi supporters will let him know it in no uncertain terms when he takes the field during The Rugby Championship this weekend.
Last month, White fell about like a lion had attempted to rip off his face after Faf de Klerk accidentally made contact with it while attempting to dislodge the ball out of his hands as he attempted a pass. After consulting with the television match official, referee Paul Williams adjudicated that this warranted a yellow card for de Klerk.
This decision sent the world of rugby into meltdown, with criticism coming from all quarters aimed at White for bringing the game into disrepute.
