I am not one for criticising match officials. At least common sense prevailed and Tadhg Beirne’s red card for an accidental collision with Beauden Barrett has been rescinded so Tadhg avoids what would have been a ridiculous suspension.
But at what cost?
Only two minutes into a global advertisement for rugby union, ahead of the 2031 World Cup in the USA, and our American hosts were scratching their heads.
I encountered plenty of curious Chicagoans during and after last Saturday’s game at Soldier Field.
Mainly, they wondered why the referee took so long to make a straight forward decision.
Rugby incident, play on.
“How did it go from yellow to red?” they asked.
I had no words.
“Whaaat, that’s foul play?”
Again, I was stumped.
You could see the locals switching off in real time.
The match officials’ chain of command failed the sport when they n
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