It was all going so well.
Ireland came into today's Rugby World Cup clash with Samoa in need of a bonus point victory in order to clinch a quarter-final spot. It was all going rather swimmingly with three tries helping Joe Schmidt's men to a 26-5 lead until it all went a bit pear-shaped in the 28th minute when Bundee Aki charged at UJ Sueuteni.
The referee appeared in no doubt that it was a dangerous tackle and showed Aki a red card, ruling him out of Ireland's quarter-final New Zealand or South Africa. If you haven't seen the incident, you can judge for yourself below:
https://twitter.com/eirSport/status/1182980630629494784
While the decision is of course unwelcome, Irish fans are divided as to whether it was merited...
https://twitter.com/Conmort/status/1182981006107828225
https://twitter.com/JimBliss23/status/1182986626231865344
https://twitter.com/owenignite/status/1182984609165914113
https://twitter.com/megancowzer_x/status/1182981508262432768
https://twitter.com/Donor_Cowling/status/1182980805682962432
https://twitter.com/Cbarron15/status/1182980755904958469
https://twitter.com/phunsiz3/status/1182980271953580032
https://twitter.com/RuaidhriOC/status/1182979232185511936
Rugby World Cup protocol means that Aki should have a hearing in a couple of days time but if that doesn't go well our task next week will be all the more difficult.
