Mathieu Raynal consulted long and hard with the Television Match Official before making his decision.
In fairness to Raynal, he is being consistent.
Two weeks after sending CJ Stander off only 21 minutes into the First Test against South Africa, the French referee sent off Maxime Machenaud in the French Top 14 final. The decision arrived 23 minutes into the match between Racing 92 and Toulon.
In Cape Town, Stander’s action – in turning his back while jumping in front of Pat Lambie – got him a straight red card.
At the French finalé, in the Nou Camp, Machenaud tackled Toulon’s Matt Giteau. He halted the Australian with his first action and lifted him with his second. It looked as though Machenaud was set to dump Giteau on his shoulder but the Toulon 10 swivelled in an attempt to free himself and thus landed on his neck.
Raynal took more than two minutes before he dismissed the French international.
With each replay, you feared for Machenaud and the red card was duly brandished.
However, much like Ireland, Racing rallied with 14-man to claim a superb win. Dan Carter was immense and a Joe Rokocoko try gave the Parisiens belief this was their year.
It was and they won 29-21.
