The poor man must have been studying his rule-book in Brail. The red card in the 42nd minute of the rugby test between SA and New Zealand was one hell of a travesty of justice and the rulers of southern hemispheres rugby, SANZAR, agrees. In a statement SANZAR says judicial officer Terry Willis from Australia has removed a red card from the disciplinary record of Bismarck du Plessis.
Two yellow cards were issued in the 17th and 42nd minutes of the match between New Zealand and South Africa at Eden Park in Auckland during the weekend.
SANZAR says the hearing was held via teleconference on 16 September. Terry Willis granted an application made by Gerrie Swart who appeared on behalf of Du Plessis, for an expedited hearing. At the hearing, Terry Willis was assisted by former professional player David Croft from Australia.
Submissions were made on behalf of Du Plessis. Video footage of the game was also reviewed. The judicial officer found that the decision made by French Referee Romain Poite to issue a yellow card as a result of the tackle by Du Plessis on Dan Carter was wrong. The tackle was well within the laws of the game.
The only thing we find amazing is that Poite could not see it in the first place. The fact that the Boks played with 14 men for more than half of the game robbed the Springboks of any chance to win the game. Can we now give the Froggie a red card and take away his whistle please?
