Waratahs reserve prop Paddy Ryan was given a red card for a collecting Hurricanes second five eighth Jordie Barrett on the chin during a gang tackle in the 22-18 loss at Leichhardt Oval.
The All Blacks fullback was in the process of being held up by Mark Nawaqanitawase when Ryan came in to effect the tackle but a shoulder connected with Barrett’s chin as he was in the process of falling to the ground.
After a TMO review the match officials could not find mitigating circumstances to reduce the tackle to a just a penalty and Ryan was red carded with four minutes remaining.
At the time the Waratahs were behind just by four and on attack in possession just outside the Hurricanes’ 22.
The incident gave the Hurricanes a one man advantage for the crucial final minutes and they were able to hold on for another comeback victory over the Australian sides.
Waratahs fans were disappointed with the ruling which they felt secured the win for the visitors and asked how the referees couldn’t find mitigating circumstances in what was a routine tackle.
Others asked why Jordie Barrett wasn’t mandated to leave the field to undergo an HIA when the tackle was judged to be serious enough to issue a red card.
What a 💩 way to end it. Nothing wrong with it. A zillion mitigating circumstances. Nothing in that. NOT FOUL play. #WARvCRU
— Rugby Report Card (@rugby_podcast) May 14, 2022
How can head contact result in a red card but the victim not be taken for HIA if he stayed down and clearly was hurt (blood nose) and all that? I have come to terms with the rationale but if they are truly worried about player safety Barrett should have been checked. #WARvHUR
— Jock Cudmore (@CudmoreJock) May 14, 2022
Surely enough to mitigate that down to yellow. And if it’s serious enough for a red (which it wasn’t) how is it not a mandatory HIA for Barrett? #WARvHUR
— Tim Beswick (@tcmcpb) May 14, 2022
How are these contacts found only in Aus rugby. That is never found in NZ home games. I guarantee that same contact happens 10 times a game but quickly for anyone to notice. Find a way to ruin a grandstand finish once again rugby. #WARvHUR
— Bart Willis (@bartinoheat) May 14, 2022
A red card for a player turning into you..? What has this game become?? #WARvHUR
— Grae’s analogy (@hairyangryfella) May 14, 2022
Was not direct. Barrett’s head goes forward after contact, not back. #WARvHUR
— Huw Tindall (@HuwTindall) May 14, 2022
That’s is rubbish #WARvHUR
— rahgby (@rahgby1) May 14, 2022
The Paddy Ryan cameo has been a disaster #WARvHUR
— . (@RydOrDi33) May 14, 2022
After finishing his season in Japan, Ryan was flown back to join the Waratahs squad on an SOS short term deal to cover the injury to Harry Johnson-Holmes.
This was his first game for the Waratahs since 2018, where the veteran prop previously played 105 games for the club over a nine year career and was a member of the 2014 side that claimed the Super Rugby title.
