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\u2019s Super Rugby Pacific clash at Eden Park.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Both sides gave the ball plenty of air and the Blues<\/a> eventually outscored their opponents by seven tries to six, although they had some nervy moments as they lost their way in the game\u2019s closing stages when they Highlanders<\/a> launched a late fightback.<\/p>\n Two late converted tries from Tanielu Tele\u2019a and Soane Vikena set up a tense finish, but the Blues kept the visitors at bay in the game\u2019s dying moments.<\/p>\n Big talking point<\/p>\n However, the big talking point after the match was Sullivan receiving a yellow card, and not a red one.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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<\/a> was far from happy with the eventual outcome.<\/p>\n \u201cMoments like that really count,\u201d he said after the match. \u201cWe get a guy knocked out, so what\u2019s a red card? If that\u2019s not a red card what is? Last week it was a tip tackle, so I was like \u2018what is a yellow card?\u2019<\/p>\n Highlanders player ratings: All Black\u2019s brilliance comes \u2018too late\u2019 after pack overwhelmed by physical Blues<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cAnd this week it\u2019s \u2018what is a red card?\u2019 Really it\u2019s just getting my head around these decisions that are working against us but I\u2019ll be asking those questions.\u201d<\/p>\n