How ‘farcical, absurd’ decisions led to cards galore on dramatic day in Quilter Nations Series - 'We are absolutely ruining the game of rugby'

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We took a look back at all the cards we saw as referees took centre stage during an ill-disciplined Round 3 in the Quilter Nations Series. There were three cards during South Africa's clash with Italy, and two more as England secured a historic win over New Zealand. However, the best was yet to come as Wales and Japan were shown four cards between them at the Principality Stadium.

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There was plenty of controversy for fans to sink their teeth into during the latest round of Quilter Nations Series matches.

Saturday got underway with an ill-disciplined encounter between Italy and South Africa in Turin that featured two yellow cards and a straight red.

If that was not enough excitement for one afternoon, Andrea Piardi also raised eyebrows with a divisive call during England’s clash with New Zealand.

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Then Wales and Japan went one step further, with four players being shown cards in Cardiff.

Argentina were also given a yellow card against Scotland when a penalty try might have been awarded.

With so many game-changing flash points to keep track of, we felt it was time to take a closer look at the decisive decisions during Saturday’s Quilter Nations Series action.

Mostert sees red

Fans only had to wait 11 minutes to see the first card of the day, and it was a consequential one.

South Africa’s hopes of avoiding a massive upset against Italy suffered a significant blow when Franco Mostert was shown a straight red card.

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Following consultation with the television match official, James Doleman judged that the second row’s shoulder made contact with Paolo Garbisi’s head and that he had not attempted to wrap his arms in the tackle.

Former South Africa captain Bob Skinstad disagreed with the decision, stating that his compatriot made contact with Garbisi’s chest.

"I’m not here to cry over spilt milk. There's the tackle; he’s very silly, he doesn't wrap with his arm, and he's got the shoulder ready," he said.

"The thing is, he hits the middle of the chest, head contact is what creates the permanent red card, for me, that should go to the bunker.

"And then you go, ‘It's not a head-on-head, great, yellow card or yellow card plus 20 minutes’.

"But to ruin a whole game? I’m saying that as a rugby fan, not a South African fan, I promise you."

Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus was equally frustrated by the decision and was disappointed that captain Siya Kolisi had to head to the bench for the second game in a row.

"It is what it is. What I say can’t make a difference," a visibly frustrated Erasmus said. "I’m just grateful that we had Ben O’Keeffe on the one side and an experienced referee [in James Doleman].

"I'm not saying it in a negative way. What I can say is that it’s sad that our captain, who had to make that sacrifice in his 100th game and in this game.

"I always thought we wanted to get to 20-minute red cards, and we have to re-check on that, but it’s not my place to talk about it. However, for a captain to [have to] suffer twice in a week for us to win is sad.

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"I’m not saying the calls were wrong, but I definitely saw a lot of other shots in the game. By that I’m not criticising, that is life, and once we review the game, we may come to a different conclusion and see that we were totally wrong, and then we have to rectify it.

"Again, I’m not saying anyone is wrong, but we don’t know how to coach guys to go lower, especially for a two-metre-tall guy to face someone who is on his knees is tough. And then to play with 13 men, and them with 14 for a while, it was tougher than last week."

"It’s not just them suffering; the game is suffering. That certainly makes us tighter as a team and more desperate, but it doesn’t take the hurt away, even though we got through it.

"I’m happy with the result, but I’m still sad for the players who have to take the brunt for someone who did something wrong by accident."

And then they were down to 13

Things went from bad to worse for the Springboks when Marco van Staden was shown a yellow card.

He was sent to the bin for an infringement at the ruck as Italy started to build momentum inside the South Africa 22.

Due to the location of the infringement, South Africa could have no complaints.

Cannone escapes with a yellow

Then it was Italy’s turn to lose their discipline.

It was 14 against 13 after Lorenzo Cannone saw yellow for a dangerous tackle of his own.

Unlike Mostert, Cannone made an attempt to wrap his arms, meaning he avoided an upgrade to a red card.

The referee was asked to take another look at Wilco Louw’s clear-out on Manuel Zuliani at a ruck later in the match.

On that occasion, Doleman’s cards remained in his pocket, but the check was enough for Skinstad to question the direction the game was heading in.

"I’m just wondering if we are going from a contact sport to a non-contact sport," said Skinstad.

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"There is a dynamic nature to this game that we play.

"That is what happens; there are going to be bumps and bruises.

"At least a clear head from the referee will help here, but the game has already been affected by cards."

The Springboks managed to defy the numbers and secure an impressive 34-12 win in Turin.

Taylor shown 'harsh' yellow

England’s match with New Zealand was hanging in the balance when Codie Taylor was shown a bizarre yellow card for playing the ball on the ground.

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Perhaps, but England were nowhere near the try line and looking pretty aimless in possession.

"I think if you are watching down in New Zealand, you are going to think that is particularly harsh," said Ben Kay.

"I am watching here and I think it is a bit tough."

England win despite Earl card

England ended up securing a famous 33-19 win against The All Blacks, but they had to survive a late scare after a yellow card for Ben Earl.

The versatile back row was penalised after a series of infringements at the breakdown from the English defence.

Fortunately for Steve Borthwick’s side, they managed being much better with 14 players than their opponents in the closing stages of the match.

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Four cards in Wales win against Japan

Japan head coach said that the sin-bin situation is "almost farcical" and that rugby is being ruined.

Wales and Japan refused to be outdone on a hectic day for referees in the Quilter Nations Series.

Two Japanese players were shown yellow cards in the space of five minutes during an ill-tempered first half at the Principality Stadium.

Epineri Uluiviti was shown a yellow for a tackle off the ball in the 25th minute before Faulua Makisi was sin-binned for an equally reckless challenge.

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That left the Cherry Blossoms with 13 players on the pitch, but Wales had problems of their own on the stroke of half-time.

"It is almost farcical now, the sin-bin situation," said Jones. "We are absolutely ruining the game of rugby.

"I don't think any of the actions today were intentional and deserved to be sin-binned. Wales or us.

"We have to have a more sensible approach to the game. There are going to be contacts with the head.

"Unless it is reckless, which I didn't see any of those actions being reckless, I don't understand those sanctions. Of course, we have got to have penalties, but it needs to be looked at.

"The game of rugby is about 15 players on the field and I think World Rugby should be looking at this very closely. It is becoming absurd."

Adams card upgraded

Josh Adams was shown a yellow card in the closing stages of the first half for a dangerous clear-out at the ruck.

Things got worse for the Welsh winger before play resumed after half-time, when it was judged that his punishment should be upgraded.

'No mitigation' - Adams yellow upgraded to 20 minute red card during Wales against Japan

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As a result, he received a 20-minute red card, but the game still had plenty more twists and turns to come.

Jarrod Evans kicked a late penalty to rescue the win for his side, and Harry Hockings was handed Japan's third yellow of the game in the 80th minute to bring a chaotic encounter to an end.

Wales head coach Steve Tandy was direct after the game, commenting that Adams' red was "harsh."

"I think it's a harsh red," said Tandy.

"If you put yourself in a position like that, you're in the hands of the gods. We have to be better and not bring TMOs into play. Those are the things we can control."

Argentina avoid penalty try

Juan Cruz Mallia was shown a yellow card early on in Argentina's match against Scotland, but should a penalty try have been awarded?

Mallia was given the yellow card for deliberately knocking on a behind-the-back pass from Darcy Graham.

Had the pass gone to hands then Jamie Dobie looked as though he would be in the clear to score.

But referee Andrew Brace, after discussion with the TMO, decided that there was cover and it should only be a yellow card.

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