World Rugby clarify Benjamin Fall red card incident

World Rugby have clarified the decision to issue a red card to France full-back Benjamin Fall in the 26-13 loss to the All Blacks in Wellington last weekend.

Although an independent judicial committee rescinded the red card on Monday, World Rugby on Wednesday in a statement said the correct protocol was followed by Australian referee Angus Gardner.

Fall was sent off in the 12th minute of the second Test with France 3-0 ahead at the time after his challenge of an up-and-under sent All Blacks flyhalf Beauden Barrett crashing in the turf headfirst.

“The match official team followed the guidelines correctly and made a decision based on the available camera angles,” the statement read.

“Only during the subsequent review by an independent judicial panel, when additional camera angles were made available, was it determined that Benjamin Fall was knocked off balance immediately prior to the challenge and therefore the red card was dismissed.”

World Rugby also reaffirmed it stance in dealing with instances when two players are challenging for a ball in the air:

– If a player is not in a realistic position to gather the ball, there is contact and their opponent lands on their back or side – yellow card.

– If a player is not in a realistic position to gather the ball, there is reckless or deliberate foul play and the player lands in a dangerous position – red card.