World Cup-winning coach Sir Graham Henry has hit out at rugby's governing body for a perceived edict that referees go looking for reasons to dish out yellow and red cards.
Sir Graham's assessment comes after multiple instances in the past month where questionable acts have led to teams spending large periods of 80 minutes with 14 men on the park.
France suffered twice during the 3-0 test series loss to the All Blacks, with Benjamin Fall copping a red card in the second test for a high-ball challenge on Beauden Barrett, which follow a heavily debated yellow card in Auckland, handed out to lock Paul Gabrillagues.
Following other similar incidents in both Super Rugby and the Australian-Ireland test series, Henry is convinced World Rugby is influencing the way referees are officiating.
"I think the mindset of the referees has been set by World Rugby," Sir Graham told Saturday Sport on RadioLIVE.
"That mindset appears to be very, very strict, which is leading to cards.
"The mindset is that they don't want any incidents in the game that are a little questionable."
Speaking to Brendon Telfer, the 72-year-old suggested cards should be issued for both clear and obvious acts of foul play or professional fouls.
Sir Graham believes that unless a referee can answer that question, players should remain on the field and be dealt with post-match by the match review officials.
"I think it's negative. Their first instinct should be no cards. If they do produce a card then there should be an obvious reason for it. It's just wrong.
"Yes, I am in favour of protecting the players' welfare but I think when you go into a game being overly strict in a certain area in order to get a big pat on the back from World Rugby, then that creates a situation where referees don't use common sense."
Newshub.
