Wales head coach Steve Tandy and Japan boss Eddie Jones have criticised the officiating process after a chaotic Test in Cardiff that saw four cards issued during Wales’ narrow 24–23 win over Japan.
Wing Josh Adams received a 20-minute red card on the stroke of half-time for a dangerous clearout on Kippei Ishida. Referee Matthew Carley initially showed a yellow before sending it for a bunker review, where foul-play officer Quinton Immelman upgraded it to red.
Tandy calls red card ‘harsh’
Tandy said he did not feel the incident merited such a severe sanction and warned his side must avoid putting themselves in situations where bunker reviews become decisive.
“It was a harsh red,” he said. “When you put yourself in that position, you’re in the hands of the gods. We have to be better and make sure we don’t bring the TMO into the game unnecessarily.”
Despite Adams’ absence, Wales edged ahead through Jarrod Evans’ last-minute penalty to avoid an upset at the Principality Stadium.
Jones blasts ‘absurd and farcical’ system
Japan head coach Eddie Jones was even more forthright. Three of his players — Epineri Uluiviti, Faulua Makisi and Harry Hockings — were sent to the sin-bin for dangerous tackles, decisions he strongly disagreed with.
“It is almost farcical now,” said Jones. “We are absolutely ruining rugby with these sin-bins. I don’t think any of the actions today were intentional. None deserved a yellow card.”
Jones said that while player safety is essential, the current disciplinary processes lack balance.
“There will always be head contact in rugby. Unless it’s reckless — and I didn’t see recklessness today — I don’t understand the sanctions. We need penalties, but the whole system needs reviewing.”
Calls for World Rugby to intervene
Jones insisted World Rugby must intervene to restore clarity and consistency.
“At one stage we were down to 13 men, then Wales lose a player and they’re down to 14,” he said. “The game is supposed to be 15 against 15. It’s becoming absurd, and World Rugby should be looking closely at this.”
Japan led on multiple occasions but again fell short of claiming a first win in Wales. Even so, Jones couldn’t resist a final quip at Welsh rugby’s expense.
“If I was a fan, I’d be asking the Welsh Rugby Union for my money back,” he joked. “But they can’t afford it, so they won’t be giving it back.”
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