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'What an embarrassment': Twitter unloads on 'pathetic' yellow card called against Highlanders during Chiefs onslaught

(Photo by Dave Rowland/Getty Images)

Things could barely have gotten off to a worse start for the Highlanders in the opening 20 minutes of their Super Rugby Aotearoa clash against the Chiefs in Hamilton.

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Tries to Lachlan Boshier and Anton Lienert-Brown in the first 10 minutes left the southerners stranded by 14 points, and their issues were compounded when referee Mike Fraser paused play to assess a high tackle made by Rob Thompson on Tupou Vaa’i.

The experienced midfielder looked to have connected his shoulder with the young second rower’s head, which is almost always considered a yellow card-worthy infringement in any referee’s books.

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Upon referral with TMO Brendon Pickerill, Fraser took no exception to that rule, reaching into his pocket to sent Thompson into the sin bin for the ensuing 10 minutes.

During that passage of play, the Chiefs scored a further 10 points thanks to a Bradley Slater try and the boot of Damian McKenzie, putting the hosts into a seemingly unassailable lead.

The decision to hand Thompson a yellow card caused a stir online, though, with a raft of Twitter users expressing their disbelief at the call.

One pundit even went as far to say that Fraser’s decision was “the most pathetic yellow card” he had ever seen in rugby, comparing the softness of union’s officiating to that of rugby league’s.

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https://twitter.com/Zach_F1/status/1284698737382744064

Fraser did have a couple of supporters in his corner, however, who voiced their approval in seeing Thompson banished to the sin bin for 10 minutes.

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R
RedWarrior 31 minutes ago
Records show All Blacks' greatest rugby adversary is now Ireland

Foster was literally whinging about the TMO in the Ireland series in the presser AFTER the RWC final. NZs whinging about the final itself was apparently picked up by Voyager 2 which was near the asteroid belt. What about the whingefest and crybabies after O'Mahony's legendary sledge (during the match) on Sam Cane?


I often hear talk about NZ players being poisoned or similar nonsense during the 1995 final. NZ boast that they are 'superstars' and 'humble heroes' on their own website. You gave England the same treatment in 2002-2003, calling them arrogant just because they beat you. They told the rest of us then what you were like, we should have listened. I would give as much credence to a NZ supporter disliking us, as I would to Krusty the clown saying the same thing. Let's just say your judgement may not be the best.


Regarding 2016, as the referee had basically let NZ away with cheating their way to victory via filthy dangerous play and fouling he was hardly going to pull Sexton up when clearly trying to stop a grounding. NZ always leave the boot or arm in to hurt a try scorer but that seems to be invisible to you entitles lot.


BTW NZ have literally being whinging and crying about Ireland since Soldier field. You are just very bad losers. We will be delighted to be shot of you on Friday. I hope we do so with a win, so that you rethink your philosophy of mocking opponents and spectators you've just beaten.


After the match last Saturday the internet was full of Kiwi supporters basically abusing English folk. Where is your national honour? Where is your national integrity?

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