All Blacks coach Ian Foster has hit out at the direction rugby officiating is going in, after a card-filled affair in his side's defeat to Ireland in Dunedin on Saturday.
As New Zealand slipped to a first defeat to Ireland on home soil, losing 23-12 at Forsyth Barr Stadium, the All Blacks' efforts were hampered by three players being sent from the field, courtesy of two yellow cards and one red.
Winger Leicester Fainga'anuku was the first to be sin binned, after connecting high with opposite Mack Hansen attempting to charge down a kick.
Prop Ofa Tuungafasi was the second All Black to be shown yellow, after taking out Garry Ringrose off the ball as Ireland attacked, before his replacement Angus Ta'avao was shown a red for a high shot - also on Ringrose.
Ta'avao's red card could be considered harsh, with the prop unable to change his direction while making a tackle at close range.
The dismissal also came with Ta'avao needing to leave the field for a concussion test, as a result of his collision with Ringrose.
It wasn't just the All Blacks affected by cards though, as Irish lock James Ryan was shown a yellow for repeated infringements.
Speaking on Sunday, Foster stated his displeasure at the number of cards being shown by referee Jaco Peyper, after criticism of his side stemming from last week's 42-19 win over Ireland at Eden Park.
"Firstly, I think it's too far," Foster said. "Personally, I think we're in danger of turning the game into a card festival.
"There were clearly strong messages sent out last week. There was a feeling we should have had four yellow cards last week.
"That seemed to be the mindset that went into this game. It is what it is though."
However, Foster also conceded that every card issues to the All Blacks was justified, going by the letter of the law.
"If you look at our cards, you have to look at them singularly," he added.
"We get the Leicester one. I think that's incredibly unfortunate, but they're the rules. I don't think there's anything in that one.
"Ofa we accept, and Angus we kind of accept. Most people could see a change of direction, a big prop reacting, and a collision that's pretty unfortunate.
"But it is what it is."
Foster also addressed the confusion that saw shambolic scenes as the All Blacks returned to 14 men, as both Dalton Papalii and Ardie Savea attempted to return to the field.
The pair had both been substituted in order to keep two front rowers on the field after Tuungafasi and Ta'avao's cards, but Savea was forced to leave for a second time to keep the All Blacks at 14.
As the man to make way after Ta'avao's red card, Savea wasn't permitted to return to the field for the rest of the game.
And while conceding Savea should not have been the player to take the hit to keep the All Blacks at 14, Foster says he's seeking an explanation as to what happened.
"There was clearly confusion around the red card and what could happen after that," he said.
"To be fair to everyone, it was a revolving door there for a while.
"We're seeking clarification and what happened was not what we thought should happen.
"[There's] no doubt, we wanted Ardie to go back on."
The defeat means the All Blacks and Ireland head to Wellington for a series decider to be played at Sky Stadium next Saturday.
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