Overview
- An independent disciplinary committee rescinded the bunker-upgraded 20-minute red card from the New Zealand match, making Beirne eligible to play against Japan on Saturday.
- Referee Pierre Brousset issued a yellow card that foul play review officer Dan Jones upgraded, but the committee found the act was foul play without a high degree of danger.
- Beauden Barrett submitted a statement accepting he entered contact high and saying he saw no intent to injure, with New Zealand’s team doctor reporting no direct injury from the incident.
- The IRFU provided a new camera angle not available to match officials, which the panel said was pertinent to assessing the degree of danger.
- The hearing was chaired by Christopher Quinlan KC with Wayne Erickson and Becky Essex, and the decision keeps Beirne available for the remaining Tests against Australia and South Africa.