Malakai Fekitoa didn’t make a lot of new Irish fans in the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
Fekitoa had a memorable game against Ireland for a few reasons – some good, some not so good.
The All Black centre will undoubtedly have been delighted with his two tries that helped his side run out 21-9 victors in the lion’s den, but his cynical foul on Simon Zebo in the 49th minute wasn’t exactly his finest hour.
With Ireland on the front foot, attacking the Kiwis at speed, the ball was spread out to Simon Zebo on the wing. However, the Munster man was stopped in his tracks by an incredibly dangerous high tackle from Fekitoa that wouldn’t have looked out of place in the WWE.
After receiving some treatment on the pitch, Zebo eventually got back to his feet to continue the game while referee Jaco Peyper was content flashing the yellow card for Fekitoa’s foul.
Fekitoa goes in the bin for a high tackle on Zebo. https://t.co/nMJpcNgAEX
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) November 19, 2016
The decision to only send Fekitoa to the sin bin for 10 minutes, rather than send him off completely wasn’t well received by the Irish crowd who were baying for a red card.
Fekitoa came back on to score another try, but a lot of fans felt he was lucky to be on the pitch after that challenge.
Zebo lucky to still have his head #IrlVNZ
— Dylan Power (@Dylan_power95) November 19, 2016
Only a yellow card for that high tackle against Zebo?! #IREvNZL #ShouldHaveBeenRed
— Janet Rumley (@JanetRumley) November 19, 2016
That flying high tackle on Zebo, in a scoring situation, was the cartoon caricature of a red card offence. Incomprehensible. https://t.co/TiJvzYcHfo
— Dan Mac Guill (@danmacg) November 19, 2016
That should be a red for tackle on Zebo #IREvNZL
— edel (@taloolie) November 19, 2016
Zebo absolutely flattened. pic.twitter.com/EwOcJI9OGc
— Cliff Browne (@cliffybrowne) November 19, 2016
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