‘Yellow card was harsh’

Jonathan Kaplan says Irish referee John Lacey made a 'poor decision' when sending Cornal Hendricks to the sin bin in Cardiff.

Hendricks received a yellow card in the 62nd minute after contesting a high ball with Wales fullback Leigh Halfpenny.

Wales were leading 12-6 at that stage, and while the Boks did not concede any points while down to 14 men, they were unable to score any either.

Kaplan, who refereed in 68 Tests during his career, points out that World Rugby (formerly IRB) has made it clear that it wants to protect the vulnerable defending jumper in the air.

'It is a good decision,' Kaplan wrote on ratetheref.co.za. 'However some of the decisions around this principle are making the game not only a lottery, but it is also denuding the game of the very important element of the kick-chase. It is once again prone to over-sanitisation, and has the capacity to ruin a Test match or at the very least rob the spectators of the much desired contest.

'On Saturday I thought Hendricks went for the ball, jumping simultaneously with the Welsh jumper Leigh Halfpenny who unfortunately missed the ball. He may not have got as high, but I really cannot understand the relevance of this at all.

'The result was a poor decision to card Hendricks, especially as this was viewed in slow motion which makes it even more difficult to fathom.'

Kaplan's full column

Boks livid with referee

Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images

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