Seeing red and yellow... the weekend when the Quilter Nations Series went card crazy leaving coaches seething on sidelines

Cards were handed out left, right and centre during another weekend of drama in the Quilter Nations Series. It was perhaps Ireland head coach Andy Farrell who suffered the most, with five cards handed out to his Ireland players. Wales, meanwhile, were given two yellows in their defeat to New Zealand. Live coverage of the Quilter Nations Series is available on TNT Sports and discovery+.

There was some fabulous rugby played over the penultimate weekend in the Quilter Nations Series, but the discipline of certain teams left something to be desired.

A significant number of cards were handed out amid some relentless drama across Europe, as coaches were left seething on the sidelines.

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell probably suffered the most, repeatedly ripping up his plans during his team's defeat to South Africa in Dublin, with five cards handed out to his players.

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James Ryan was given a yellow card for a high hit on Malcolm Marx, but that was soon upgraded to a 20-minute red.

There were also yellows for Sam Prendergast, Jack Crowley, Andrew Porter and Paddy McCarthy as the Springboks claimed a 24-13 victory.

It will likely go down as the most frenzied match of the autumn, with a sense of chaos never far away from proceedings.

Highlights: South Africa prevail against Ireland in chaotic and card-filled clash

Video credit: TNT Sports

Speaking to reporters after the match, Farrell said: "I haven't seen a game like that ever, and you think you've seen it all.

"I suppose, first and foremost, you look at yourself and why things have happened. So, we'll do that, and make sure that we learn the lessons from that."

Earlier on Saturday, New Zealand continued their generations of dominance over Wales with a 52-26 victory in Cardiff.

The Welsh cause clearly was not helped by yellows for Gareth Thomas and Taine Plumtree.

Replacement prop Thomas was shown a yellow card for a no-arms tackle and the visiting team made the extra man tell as Sevu Reece scored while Thomas was off the field.

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And as soon as Wales were restored to 15 players, their ranks were reduced once more when Plumtree was shown a yellow card for a dangerous tackle on Will Jordan.

Despite the result, Wales head coach Steve Tandy said: "There’s lots to be proud of and lots to see how we want to go about the game.

"Obviously, there are things we need to work on and, ultimately, the scoreboard is not what we want and where we want to go.

"But the group, the toughness and effort they put in right through the game, I’m massively proud of them as a coach."

Highlights: New Zealand outmuscle spirited Wales side in thrilling Cardiff clash

Video credit: TNT Sports

Elsewhere, Tonga did their chances no good at all against Scotland at Murrayfield, with Semisi Paea picking up a 20-minute red and three more players given yellows. Scotland eased to a 56-0 victory.

The card count was equal in Paris, with Maxime Lucu temporarily removed from proceedings for hosts France and Tom Hooper also handed a yellow for Australia.

The Australians ended a European tour winless for the first time in 67 years after losing 48-33 to France.

Even the tamest match of the weekend in terms of cautions, England's 27-23 victory over Argentina, ended in a full-time scuffle, after Alex Coles was the only player to pick up a yellow.

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Watch and stream every game of the Quilter Nations Series live on TNT Sports and discovery+

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