Barrett joins Hall of Shame

The Split Enz classic I See Red often blares around New Zealand rugby grounds – but seeing red is a rarity for the All Blacks with Scott Barrett just the fourth to be sent off in 135 years and 583 tests dating back to 1884.

Barrett’s red card – and a plethora of first half penalties – led coach Steve Hansen to admit the All Blacks had played ‘‘dumb footy’’ in Perth.

The other three sendings off were:

■ 1. Cyril Brownlie (v England, 1925)

2: Colin Meads (v Scotland, 1967)

3: Sonny Bill Williams (v British and Irish Lions, 2017)

We’ve Got This’’ message.

But deep down his stomach must be churning. This is the final term of a magnificent eightyear tenure as All Blacks head coach, following eight mostly outstanding years as an assistant before that. He has been part of back-to-back World Cup triumphs and a stunning run of international dominance.

However, is this a year too far? Is he caught between eras, with the old one fading faster than the new one is rising? Will he fail to get the glorified signoff that had seemed inevitable not so long ago?

There is still time to save this thing. He still possesses the finest collection of talent in the game. The All Blacks are a long way from a World Cup writeoff. Many, many teams would kill for their problems.

But there is so much to do, and so little time to achieve it.

The All Blacks have seven days to salvage the Bledisloe . . . and maybe their World Cup campaign while they’re at it. MORE STORIES P30-31

GETTY IMAGES All the happy faces in Perth belonged to the Wallabies, as Kurtley Beale shows in scoring his try.