There was major controversy in Ireland’s Chicago reunion after Tadhg Beirne was brandished a red card in the early stages of the contest.

Just over two minutes had elapsed when Beirne failed to lower his body height in what otherwise appeared to be passive contact between him and New Zealand’s Beauden Barrett.

Beirne was upright and did make contact with the head of Barrett, after what was deemed to be a forward pass in the build-up. He did however. stand his ground and it was Barrett who advanced towards the lock.

The Munster captain was sent to the sidelines as Ireland recovered to forge a 3-0 lead, but his yellow was upgraded to red following a review.

Ireland captain Dan Sheehan shared his dismay with the decision, telling the official: “That has to be mitigation, the forward pass.”

Ireland consequently had to play 20 minutes of the contest with just 14 men after the verdict was made.

Tadhg Beirne red card causes major outcry

There had been initial difficulty for the referee as technical issues meant that he was unable to watch the incident back on the stadium’s big screens.

There was uproar from Irish supporters on social media in the wake of the call but former Engand international Andy Goode was adamant that the laws gave them not choice but to send him off.

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Former Welsh rugby player turned pundit claimed the game is being ruined by what he perceived to be such a soft decision.

Many felt the same way.

Alan Quinlan weighed in with his view that it should have been yellow during Virgin Media’s half-time analysis, taking issue with TMO Ian Tempest.

The same official failed to notice the incident where Ireland’s Aoife Wafer was apparently bitten during Ireland’s loss to France in their WRWC quarter-final in England.

I wasn’t happy with the TMO coming in there… he is doing everything in his power to try and get that upgraded to a red.

“Here is a guy who didn’t see Aoife Wafer get bitten in the women’s World Cup – he is pushing there for a red.

“He should have given the referee more time – OK the screen wasn’t working for him to go over to – but I am not sure… it is a harsh red and a yellow would have been sufficient.”

Welsh rugby legend Sam Warburton came down strongly on the call on TNT Sports.

‘Penalty? Maybe? I think, if anything, Tadhg Beirne is more concerned about the forwards at the back.

“No 10 runs a short line like that, he’s probably not expecting Barrett to have it.”

“I think you’re right, he’s upright because he’s not in a position to tackle him up front. Look, he got himself in a wrong position, but you’re right, he’s almost got his arms crossed to not make the tackle. If he followed through with his elbows, then you can see that, it’s a little bit like he’s checked him.

“[But] he hasn’t done that, he’s almost protecting himself, he’s almost absorbed him. We’ve replayed that a lot of times. [The referee] should have just said, ‘Right, penalty, move on.’ Listen, it’s a little bit of an awkward position but it’s no more than a penalty for me”

Ireland managed to weather the storm further as Tadhg Furlong got a try before the All Blacks with the score sat at 10-7 as Iain Henderson came in for the dismissed Beirne.

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