NEW ZEALAND 29-15 SOUTH AFRICA, 2013
The All Blacks and Springboks were in the midst of what was a ferociously physical and compelling battle at Eden Park in 2013, epitomised by a thunderous tackle Bismarck du Plessis made on Dan Carter.
The South African hooker came off the line hard and fast, angled in on Carter and walloped him – making contact with the first-five’s chest and shoulder.
It was a supremely good tackle that shook the All Blacks No 10.
But French referee Romain Poite didn’t see it that way and nor did the video ref – who reckoned du Plessis had hit Carter too high.
The yellow card came out and when du Plessis earned another on 42 minutes for hitting Liam Messam with an elbow, he was shown red and the Boks were reduced to 14 men.
The All Blacks cruised to victory from there but the problem was Poite had stuffed up royally with the first yellow. It should never have been shown and World Rugby confirmed this shortly after the game.
“The IRB confirms that it was incorrect for referee Romain Poite to issue a yellow card to Bismarck du Plessis in the 17th minute of the Rugby Championship match between New Zealand and South Africa in Auckland on Saturday.
“Just as players and coaches make mistakes, the decision was an unfortunate case of human error by the match officials, who, having reviewed the match, fully recognise and accept that they made a mistake in the application of law.”
Poite didn’t referee another test for a year.