Ireland forward Tadhg Beirne has had his red card against the All Blacks rescinded, an independent Disciplinary Committee confirms.
In the opening minutes of ‘The Rematch’ between Ireland and New Zealand at Soldier Field in Chicago, Beirne made a clumsy hit on All Blacks playmaker Beauden Barrett.
The collision was initially missed by Pierre Brousset and his assistants, but not the TMO, who notified the referee that potential foul play had occurred.
After a lengthy delay due to technical issues at the ground, Beirne was issued with a yellow card for what was deemed to be an upright and dangerous tackle.
As per protocol, Brousset signalled that the incident be reviewed by the Foul Play Review Officer [FPRO], who upgraded the sanction from a yellow to a 20-minute red card.
The decision
Beirne would play no further part in the fixture, but after 20 minutes, Ireland were able to bring on a replacement, Iain Henderson, but would ultimately go on to lose the match 26-13.
The decision to red card Beirne has proven highly controversial, with many pundits from Ireland, New Zealand and globally deeming it to be ‘harsh’, with a minority believing it to be the correct call as the forward made head contact and failed to use his arms in the tackle.
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An independent Disciplinary Committee has agreed with the former with a Quilter Nations Series statement confirming that the second rower will be free to play in Ireland’s remaining matches this November.
At the hearing, Beirne admitted that an act of foul play had occurred but argued that it did not reach the red card threshold, a viewpoint that the committee agreed with and subsequently rescinded the red card.
“Ireland No 5, Tadhg Beirne appeared before an independent Disciplinary Committee on Tuesday 4th November via video link, having received a 20-minute red card for an act of foul play contrary to Law 9.13 in the match between Ireland and New Zealand on Saturday 1st November 2025,” the statement read.
“The independent Disciplinary Committee was chaired by Christopher Quinlan KC, joined by former international referee Wayne Erickson (Australia) and former international player Becky Essex (England).
“Having considered the Player’s and other evidence and reviewed the footage, the Disciplinary Committee accepted the Player’s submissions that whilst an act of foul play had occurred, it did not meet the red card threshold.
“The 20-minute Red Card was thus rescinded. As a result, the Player is now free to play and available for selection this weekend.”
While Barrett offered his services in fighting a potential sanction, it does look as if it was required according to the very brief statement issued.
Boost for Ireland
The All Blacks pivot said after the game that he believed it to be a harsh sanction.
“I can’t hide from the fact that I copped a shoulder to that somewhere up there [his head], that’s what happened,” he said.
“I’ll support him in terms of mitigating whatever happens next, because I don’t feel there’s any intention there.
“He may have only deserved a yellow, but 20 [minutes off the field] is absolute worst in this instance. That’s more of me personally feeling for him.”
The news that Beirne has not been further sanctioned for the incident is a major boost for Ireland ahead of their November internationals against Japan, Australia and South Africa.
Andy Farrell’s lock stocks are already depleted due to the injury to Beirne’s British and Irish Lions teammate Joe McCarthy, while Cormac Izuchukwu is also sidelined.
READ MORE: Justin Marshall’s ‘categorical’ verdict on the ramifications of Tadhg Beirne’s red card