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'Incompetent officials' slammed over 'ridiculous' red card

Controversy has erupted in the opening Super Rugby match of the season, with fans fuming over a ‘ridiculous’ red card against the Highlanders.

The Highlanders were made to play the dying stages of the match against the Chiefs with a man down after Sio Tomkinson was given his marching orders in contentious circumstances.

The flashpoint came with just over ten minutes remaining and although the Highlanders were 24-20 down at the time, they somehow recovered to seal an against-the-odds win in the Kiwi grudge match.

Tomkinson copped a harsh red card against the Chiefs. Pic: Fox Sports
Tomkinson copped a harsh red card against the Chiefs. Pic: Fox Sports

Tomkinson appeared to be unlucky as Retallick ducked into the tackle, which referee Glen Jackson ruled was also principally a shoulder charge after several television replays.

However, the decision appeared to be pretty harsh on the Highlanders interchange man and fans were quick to vent their anger on social media.

Despite the fact they were undermanned for the final stages of the contest, the Highlanders still managed to fashion a win thanks to the brilliance of halfback Aaron Smith.

The All Blacks star darted from the scrum to cross for what turned out to be the match-winning five-pointer as the Highlanders prevailed 30-27.

Winger Etene Nanai-Seturo scored two tries for the Chiefs, who controlled much of the game only to be undone by the Highlanders’ replacements bench adding some much-needed impetus for the final quarter.

Nanai-Seturo crossed once in each half for the home side, while Canadian international number eight Tyler Ardron and tighthead prop Angus Ta’avao also scored tries.

Scrumhalf Brad Weber slotted two conversions and Stephen Donald added a penalty.

The Chiefs had looked the most dangerous for the entire game, with All Blacks centre Anton Lienert-Brown’s ability to identify and exploit space evident.

Lienert-Brown set up two of the Chiefs’ first half tries with the inside centre setting free winger Bailyn Sullivan, whose run and chip kick ahead set up Ta’avao’s try.

He also gave hooker Nathan Harris a superb pass that allowed Nanai-Seturo the narrowest of margins on the touchline which he tip-toed down to give the home side a 19-7 lead just before half-time.

Ioane, who had slotted his first penalty before the break added a second just afterwards to narrow the gap to six points, before Nanai-Seturo grabbed his second try following a clever cross-kick from flyhalf Orbyn Leger.

The Highlanders’ bench then proved the difference with Frizell proving a real handful with his ability to break tackles and get passes away in contact.

The 35-year-old Donald, who was only awarded a contract on Monday to replace the injured Tiaan Falcon, gave the Chiefs a 27-23 lead after Tomkinson was sent off before the Highlanders controlled the rest of the game.

With agencies