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Tadhg Beirne saw red just minutes into the clash against the All Blacks (Image: TNT Sports)
Here are your rugby headlines for Wednesday, November 5.
Beirne red card thrown out
Ireland international Tadhg Beirne’s hugely controversial red card has been overturned at a late night disciplinary hearing. The news was announced at 10.40pm on Tuesday after the Lions lock was dismissed for a high hit on New Zealand’s Beauden Barrett on Saturday.
He was initially yellow-carded but, on bunker review, the their-minute incident was upgraded to a 20-minute red card and sparked widespread condemnation from the rugby public, with some pundits labelling it “the softest red card ever”. Barrett himself said there was no malice involved and said he would help Beirne at his representation.
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).
A statement read: “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“The 20-minute Red Card was thus rescinded.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.”
‘Devastated’ rugby international sacked
Hong Kong China have confirmed they have sacked back-rower Luke van der Smit after he tested positive for a banned substance.
Van der Smit, who was born in Namibai but raised in South African and helped Hong Kong China secure their place at the 2027 Rugby World Cup with victory over South Korea in July, is currently suspended from all rugby activity and faces a possible four-year ban.
The No.8 came off the bench to score in the 70-22 Asia Rugby Championship win which sealed qualification, but was informed 26 days later that he had returned a positive test. His contract has since been terminated by mutual consent.
Van der Smit insists he has done nothing wrong, saying: “I have never knowingly or intentionally used a prohibited substance. I pride myself on my integrity and value clean sport. I am shocked and devastated.”
Hong Kong China Rugby said they fully support World Rugby’s anti-doping measures and confirmed the player was immediately stood down once notified.
The case remains ongoing, and Van der Smit says he will not comment further until the process concludes.
Rising Welsh-qualified talent called-up by England
One of the most highly-rated Welsh-qualified prospects has taken another step towards playing for England after being named in the England A squad to face the All Blacks XV.
Kepu Tuipulotu, the powerful 19-year-old Bath hooker, has been included in the 30-man squad. He qualifies for Wales through birth – having been born in Pontypool – and is the brother of Wales women’s star Sisilia Tuipulotu, but has been progressing through the English pathway after moving to Harrow School on scholarship.
Tuipulotu was offered a place in Warren Gatland’s Wales squad for the 2024 Six Nations, but turned it down to continue his development in England. His latest call-up now pushes him closer to senior England honours.
Under current World Rugby rules, if the teenager features in a senior England fixture, he would be tied to England for three years and effectively ruled out of representing Wales in the short and medium term.
Tuipulotu made his Premiership breakthrough with Bath last season and has been viewed as one of the standout young forwards in the English system.
He will join up with Mark Mapletoft squad at the University of Bath ahead of the fixture at the Rec on November 8. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here.
Sexton: ‘Disappointed’ Ireland to drop players after All Blacks defeat
By Edward Elliot, PA
Johnny Sexton says there has been an “open and honest” evaluation of Ireland’s deflating defeat to New Zealand in Chicago as attention turns to the team’s home autumn fixtures.
Andy Farrell’s side led 13-7 in Saturday’s sold-out match at Soldier Field before being outclassed by the All Blacks in the final quarter to suffer a 26-13 loss.
Ireland will attempt to bounce back on Saturday when Japan visit the Aviva Stadium before hosting Australia and world champions South Africa on the following two weekends.
“It’s a pretty disappointed camp,” assistant coach Sexton told reporters on Tuesday.
“We feel we probably prepared really well over the last two weeks and we didn’t get it out there on Saturday, which is the most disappointing thing.
“There’s nothing worse than when you prepare properly and you have a good plan and you just don’t quite execute it.
“The players have been pretty open and honest and coaches too, and come in and discussed it over the last couple of days and figured out why, because that’s the most important thing.
“We’ve got to take the learnings from it and make sure that it doesn’t happen again. It’s not one thing – it never is.”
Ireland initially overcame the controversial early dismissal of Tadhg Beirne for a high tackle on Beauden Barrett to lead through a Tadhg Furlong try and eight points from Jack Crowley.
But, almost nine years to the day since suffering a first defeat in the fixture, the All Blacks eased to victory after Tamaiti Williams, Wallace Sititi and Cam Roigard added to Ardie Savea’s first-half score.
“It’s trying to turn the page really, taking the lessons,” continued Sexton.
“Andy’s always very good at that when you’re in the environment, he always reframes things, we move on pretty quick, but he also keeps us accountable and makes us realise that it wasn’t good enough.
“And sometimes it can happen like that and we understand that.
“And sometimes you can put it down to prep or do guys take their eye off the ball a bit, but it just didn’t go to plan on the day and we’ve got some good reasons for that now and we’ll make sure that it doesn’t happen again.”
Head coach Farrell is expected to make changes to his starting XV for this weekend’s clash with Eddie Jones’ Brave Blossoms.
Sexton, who confirmed lock Beirne will face a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday evening, indicated some players will be dropped due to underperforming against the All Blacks, with others given opportunities to impress moving towards the 2027 World Cup.
“It’s a bit of giving guys a chance, for sure,” said Sexton. “Some of it will be selection, guys will get a chance because others didn’t play that well at the weekend.
“We need to make sure we pick a team that goes out, first of all, and tries to win the game. It’s a really important game for us, as all these games are, with regards to rankings and with the World Cup draw coming up.
“So picking a team to win, first and foremost, but at the same time, Andy knows that in two years’ time, we’re going to a World Cup and we need to have 40 players ready to go.”
Scotland announce call-up ahead of New Zealand clash
By PA Sport staff
Glasgow prop Fin Richardson has been called up to Scotland’s squad ahead of Saturday’s clash with New Zealand at Murrayfield.
The 27-year-old made his international debut as a replacement during the 41-12 win over Samoa in July.
Head coach Gregor Townsend has reduced his squad to 42 players before the meeting with the All Blacks.
Australia-born Montpellier back-rower Alexander Masibaka has been ruled out of the rest of the autumn internationals with an elbow injury, while Leicester prop Will Hurd is unavailable due to a shoulder issue.
Hooker Harri Morris and flanker Liam McConnell, who made Test debuts in Saturday’s 85-0 victory over the United States, have returned to club side Edinburgh, in addition to team-mate Ross Thompson.
After taking on New Zealand, Scotland host Argentina and Tonga on the following two weekends.
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