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'So reckless': Another red card dished out to 'recidivist' Scott Barrett

Scott Barrett. (Photo by Peter Meecham/Getty Images)

Against the Blues on Friday evening, Scott Barrett became the third All Blacks to be sent off in a Super Rugby Pacific match in four weeks, following in the footsteps of Nepo Laulala and Caleb Clarke.

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While Clarke’s reckless play – the winger jumping to charge down a kick from Moana Pasifika’s Tomasi Alosio but clattering into his head in the process – was widely chalked up as carelessness, few had any complaints with Lauala’s sending off, which was a result of the prop shouldering the head of Fine Inisi during a ruck clear-out, and some were even asking for an extended ban for the 40-test All Black.

Both Clarke and Laulala were handed three-week bans, however, and it appears likely that Barrett will face a similar sanction after a reckless tackle in Friday’s defeat at the hands of the Blues.

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Barrett’s indiscretion occurred shortly after halftime with the Crusaders captain’s shoulder connecting with Blues prop Alex Hodgman’s jaw while attempting to floor the 2020 test debutant. Hodgman – who was already being held by two other Crusaders players.

It only took a quick check with the TMO for Mike Fraser to conclude that a red card was the obvious punishment for the hit and the Crusaders were reduced to 14 men for the next 20 minutes while Hodgman also had to leave the field.

Just moments later, Blues hooker Kurt Eklund crashed over from a driving maul to take the Blues out to a 24-10 lead and it was that try that ultimately proved the difference in the match, with the Crusaders scoring one late to bring themselves with touching distance of their opposition, but they weren’t able to do enough to nab the win.

Barrett has begun to develop a reputation for similarly careless (at best) acts, and was also sent off against the Wallabies in 2019 for a similar hit on Michael Hooper.

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Fans were very much unimpressed with Barrett for the foolish tackle – especially given the understandable crackdown that referees have launched on dangerous play in recent times – and took to social media to vent their frustrations.

https://twitter.com/Runningflyhalf/status/1514879891661012997

Barrett’s inevitable suspension will further trouble the Crusaders’ locking depth.

Although Sam Whitelock is expected to be back next weekend after breaking his finger against the Chiefs earlier in the season, the Crusaders have also lost Mitch Dunshea for the season and Quinten Strange for up to eight weeks. Ironically, one man who could have stepped in to help – former All Black Luke Romanotransferred to the Blues this season and was a top performer in Friday night’s clash.

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That likely means plenty more game time for rookie locks Zach Gallagher and Dominic Gardiner.

The Crusaders are next set to play in Melbourne against the Rebels next Sunday.

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J
JW 1 hour ago
'Passionate reunion of France and New Zealand shows Fabien Galthie is wrong to rest his stars'

Where? I remember saying "unders"? The LNR was formed by the FFR, if I said that in a way that meant the 'pro' side of the game didn't have an equal representation/say as the 'amateur' side (FFR remit) that was not my intent.


But also, as it is the governing body, it also has more responsibility. As long as WR looks at FFR as the running body for rugby in France, that 'power' will remain. If the LNR refuses to govern their clubs use of players to enable a request by FFR (from WR) to ensure it's players are able to compete in International rugby takes place they will simply remove their participation. If the players complain to the France's body, either of their health and safety concerns (through playing too many 'minutes' etc) or that they are not allowed to be part in matches of national interest, my understanding is action can be taken against the LNR like it could be any other body/business. I see where you're coming from now re EPCR and the shake up they gave it, yes, that wasn't meant to be a separate statement to say that FFR can threaten them with EPCR expulsion by itself, simply that it would be a strong repercussion for those teams to be removed (no one would want them after the above).


You keep bringing up these other things I cannot understand why. Again, do you think if the LNR were not acting responsibly they would be able to get away with whatever they want (the attitude of these posters saying "they pay the players")? You may deem what theyre doing currently as being irresponsible but most do not. Countries like New Zealand have not even complained about it because they've never had it different, never got things like windfall TV contracts from France, so they can't complain because theyre not missing out on anything. Sure, if the French kept doing things like withholding million dollar game payments, or causing millions of dollars of devaluation in rights, they these things I'm outlining would be taking place. That's not the case currently however, no one here really cares what the French do. It's upto them to sort themselves out if they're not happy. Now, that said, if they did make it obvious to World Rugby that they were never going to send the French side away (like they possibly did stating their intent to exclude 20 targeted players) in July, well then they would simply be given XV fixtures against tier 2 sides during that window and the FFR would need to do things like the 50/50 revenue split to get big teams visiting in Nov.

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