Highlanders boss Jamie Joseph believes the match officials made a mistake not to issue a red card to Blues full-back Zarn Sullivan in Friday’s Super Rugby Pacific clash at Eden Park.
In an entertaining encounter, played at a frenetic pace throughout, the home side clinched a 47-40 victory which meant they retained the Gordon Hunter Memorial Trophy.
Both sides gave the ball plenty of air and the Blues eventually outscored their opponents by seven tries to six, although they had some nervy moments as they lost their way in the game’s closing stages when they Highlanders launched a late fightback.
Two late converted tries from Tanielu Tele’a and Soane Vikena set up a tense finish, but the Blues kept the visitors at bay in the game’s dying moments.
Big talking point
However, the big talking point after the match was Sullivan receiving a yellow card, and not a red one.
This, for a dangerous direct shoulder to the head hit on Caleb Tangitau in the 34th minute which left the Highlanders flyer unconscious, and he did not return to action after leaving the field.
Sullivan initially received a yellow card which went under review for a red card, but he only spent 10 minutes in the sin bin and Joseph was far from happy with the eventual outcome.
“Moments like that really count,” he said after the match. “We get a guy knocked out, so what’s a red card? If that’s not a red card what is? Last week it was a tip tackle, so I was like ‘what is a yellow card?’
“And this week it’s ‘what is a red card?’ Really it’s just getting my head around these decisions that are working against us but I’ll be asking those questions.”
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Sullivan’s illegal hit on Tangitau came after the Highlanders player had delivered a pass to Tele’a, who crossed for his first try, and Joseph could not hide his disappointment that he lost his star winger’s services.
‘Caleb has consistently been one of our top three players’
“That’s the frustrating part, Caleb has consistently been one of our top three players, losing that player for 40 minutes isn’t good for a team on the ladder where we are,” he said.
Joseph was obviously concerned about severity of Tangitau’s injury.
“It didn’t look good,” he added.
Despite his defeat, Joseph praised his players for their strong finish during the game’s closing stages.
“They are gritty men, to find a way to keep on going is really important for a rugby team.”