‘One of the worst red cards I’ve ever seen’ – Why TNT Sports team was left stunned by Ireland sending off in Gallagher Cup
Published 02/11/2025 at 10:33 GMT
There was early controversy in the Gallagher Cup clash between Ireland and New Zealand at Soldier Field in Chicago when Ireland second-rower Tadhg Beirne was red carded for a high tackle. Beirne was initially shown a yellow, but it was upgraded to a 20-minute red after a review. The decision was heavily criticised by the TNT Sports team, who felt the punishment did not fit the crime.
'One of the worst red cards' - TNT Sports experts discuss controversial Beirne sending off
Video credit: TNT Sports
TNT Sports’ Craig Doyle and Sam Warburton were stunned by the red card shown to Ireland’s Tadhg Beirne in the third minute of the Gallagher Cup clash against New Zealand in Chicago.
The Irish second-rower was initially sent to the sin bin for a high shot on All Blacks fly-half Beauden Barrett, but it was upgraded to a 20-minute red card following a review.
It wasn’t head-on-head, but Beirne’s shoulder made contact with Barrett’s face, and he made no attempt to wrap his arms or get lower to try and make a proper tackle.
The decision was criticised by many, including both Doyle and Warburton, who felt the level of danger wasn’t high and that Beirne took the actions he did to protect himself and Barrett.
"Forget I’m Irish for a second, I think it’s one of the worst red cards I’ve ever seen in rugby. I don’t understand it," TNT Sports presenter Doyle said.
"You could argue that Tadhg Beirne took actions to stop it being a head-on-head."
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/11/01/image-e0c02baa-ce45-45d6-a0ca-a90d1f4a06e3-85-2560-1440.png)
Highlights: New Zealand battle back to overcome 14-player Ireland in Chicago
Video credit: TNT Sports
Echoing those sentiments, Warburton added: "[It’s a] penalty maybe.
"I think if anything Tadhg Beirne is probably concerned about the forwards out the back because no 10 runs a short line like that, so he’s probably not expecting Barrett to have it.
"So I think you’re right. He’s upright because he’s not in position to tackle him up front. He got himself in the wrong position but he almost puts his arms crossed to not make the tackle.
"If he followed through with his elbows then you’d see that and it would be like he’s checked him. He hasn’t done that, he’s almost protected himself, he’s almost absorbed him.
"We played that a lot of times, he [the ref] should have just gone [for a] penalty and moved on. It was a little bit of an awkward position but no more than a penalty for me."
- Pollock reveals which England team-mate is ‘always at heart of it’ after Australia brawl
- ‘What on Earth was he thinking?’ – How kicking blunder almost led to comical England try
Barrett admitted he was "gutted" for Beirne after the game and that he would help the Irishman mitigate the length of any ban he might be hit with at a disciplinary hearing.
Ireland head coach Farrell was also left scratching his head over the incident.
"I'm all for the safest way possible for this game to move forward, so you've got to be careful what you say in that regard," Farrell said.
"But to me, if you look at it in real time, I don't know how it was transferred to that. They've obviously got their reasons, and I'm not privy to that."
Despite the setback, Ireland went in at half-time leading 10-7 but the All Blacks rallied after the break to seal a 26-13 victory ahead of Quilter Nations Series games against Scotland, England and Wales.
- - -
Watch and stream every game of the Quilter Nations Series live on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Thoughts?
Advertisement
Advertisement