Rugby: World Rugby says red card referee made right decision at the time

Benjamin Fall of France receives a red card during the Test match between the New Zealand and France in Wellington. Photo / Getty.

World Rugby has backed referee Angus Garner's decision to award a red card in last Saturday's test match, despite rescinded that decision three days later.

France fullback Fall was red-carded in the 12th minute of their 26-13 loss to New Zealand, a pivotal moment in the clash.

An independent World Rugby judicial committee rescinded the card on Tuesday, but were quick to defend referee Angus Gardner, who made the decision to send Fall off.

World Rugby has now followed that review, clarifying the decision to cancel the card, saying Gardner and the TMO didn't have access to the same camera angles that the committee had.

The committee had a camera view that showed Fall's line was disrupted by New Zealand centre Anton Lienert-Brown on his way to contest a high ball against All Blacks flyhalf Beauden Barrett, who was concussed and will miss this weekend's third Test.

"In respect of the red card issued to Benjamin Fall during the New Zealand versus France match on June 16, the match official team followed the guideline correctly and made a decision based on the available camera angles," the statement read.

"Only during the subsequent review by an independent judicial panel, when additional camera angles were made available, was it determined that Benjamin Fall was knocked off balance immediately prior to the challenge and therefore the red card was dismissed."

The decision, and the conversations in the days following, has sparked a discussion around the possibility of introducing a reports system for rugby, rather than just being able to offer up cards.

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