ABs carded more than ever

All Black indiscipline has more than doubled since Steve Hansen took over as New Zealand’s coach.

During the 2011 Rugby World Cup cycle, under coach Graham Henry, the All Blacks were carded by a referee once every 338.5 minutes. That’s one in every four and a bit games.

For the 2015 Rugby World Cup cycle, the number of cards doubled. All Blacks were sent from the field every 166 minutes, or every two games. Since then, it’s increased to every 139 minutes.

The All Blacks have started collecting cards quicker than a crazed Pokemon fan at Armageddon Expo.

As such, New Zealand have gone from one of the cleaner sides in World Rugby to one of the worst for discipline, particularly among tier-one nations.

Over the past four years, the All Blacks have earned more cards than any other tier-one side, 31 in just 54 games. One of those was red.

The next spot is taken by Australia, with 30 cards in 55 matches, while Argentina are one card back on 29.

Compare that with Ireland, who have been carded 11 times in 47 matches to be by far the cleanest side in World Rugby since 2013.

South Africa, a team you’d perhaps expect to play on the edge of the rules, are the second cleanest with just 16 cards in 48 games. Wales and England are close behind.

New Zealand Rugby has been approached for comment on the number of cards the All Blacks have been collecting.

New Zealand’s worst offender on the card front is Kieran Read, with five yellow cards since 2008. Sam Whitelock has four since 2010.

Also with high numbers are Joe Moody and Sam Cane.

Moody has two yellow cards in 31 matches, while Cane has three in 52.

Sonny Bill Williams gets a special mention, earning New Zealand’s only red card during that period while also receiving two yellows. That comes in just 45 games.

Of course, by global standards, none of New Zealand’s players could be described as truly illdisciplined.

Where Matt Todd has received a card every 960 minutes he’s played, Fiji’s Sisa Koyamaibole has been carded every 426 minutes of action since 2007.

Of players to have been carded three times while playing 15 or more games, the worst offender is Koyamaibole. In 16 matches, Koyamaibole received two yellows and a red.

For sustained flouting of rugby rules, however, Georgia’s Viktor Kolelishvili is the real MVP, earning seven yellows and one red in 44 matches.

Argentina’s Tomas Lavanini is the tier-one bad boy with five yellows and a red since making his debut in 2013, a card for every 493 minutes of action.