New Zealand midfielder Bundee Aki was left “gutted’’ after a red card for a high shot on his “good mate’’ Billy Vunipola as Ireland inflicted an emphatic 32-18 Six Nations win over England in Dubin.
It was the second red card of Aki’s test career after he was dismissed for a dangerous tackle against his heritage nation Samoa at the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Aki was sent off for 64th minute for striking England No 8 Vunipola in the head in a jolting tackle on Saturday (Sunday NZ time).
But undermanned Ireland – who also lost halfback Connor Murray to a yellow card in the 76th minute –held on for a deserved 32-18 win.
Match officials ruled there were no mitigating factors in the Aki incident, with Ireland’s midfielder found to have contacted Vunipola’s head with his shoulder – an automatic red card offence under World Rugby rules.
Ireland coach Andy Farrell did not criticise referee Mathieu Raynal’s call to issue a red card, but said it ws “a tough one’’.
“I have just been speaking with the referee there. It’s tough, isn’t it?,’’ Farrell – father of England captain Owen Farrell, who also suffered a concussion in the match.
“The rules are the rules but at the same time it’s very tough. I’ll have a look at it again but Billy seemed to be on a downward motion with his head, but if there’s any contact obviously that leads to a red card at this moment in time.
“He’s gutted, Bundee. He’s good mates with Billy as well, and he’s in the tunnel there making sure they’re still friends, which they most definitely are.”
Ireland racked up a 20-point lead at halftime after two tries and some pinpoint goalkicking by captain Johnny Sexton.
Veteran wing Keith Earls, 33, scored Ireland’s first try off a lineout win by No 8 Jack Conan.
The ball was worked to Earls, who wrongfooted England marker Jonny May to score in the 24th minute.
Ireland were the more enterprising team in the first spell and were rewarded in the 38th minute when Conan stretched out a long arm after a ruck to dot down.
Conan’s try came after 23 quick phases with momentum gained after fullback Hugo Keenan leapt high to secure a kick.
Jacob Stockdale – recalled for dropped Kiwi wing James Lowe – got Ireland on the front foot with a telling dart before Conan crashed over off the next phase.
England had only two Owen Farrell penalties to show for their first 40 minutes of labour. The England captain moved past 500 Six Nations championship points.
Sexton’s third penalty, early in the second half, gave Ireland a 23-6 lead after Earls had a second try disallowed after television replays spotted an Irish knock-on in the lead-up.
Another Sexton penalty pushed the lead out to 20 points, requiring England to score three converted tries for victory.
England struck straight after Aki’s red card with a blindside try to halfback Ben Youngs, but fullback Elliot Daly – kicking with Farrell off the field for a concussion check – could not land the sideline conversion.
The 14-man Ireland side, however, got back onto attack and Sexton slotted his fifth penalty after England were penalised for a ruck infringement.
Sexton’s sixth goal extended the lead to 21 points before England – with Ireland down to 13 men – scored a consolation late try to wing Jonny May.
Sexton kicked 22 points, centre Robbie Henshaw was man of the match and flanker C J Stander marked his final test for Ireland with a memorable victory over England.
AT A GLANCE
Ireland 32 (Keith Earls, Jack Conan tries; Johnny Sexton 2 con, 6 pen) England 18 (Ben Youngs, Jonny May tries; Owen Farrell 2 pen; Elliot Daly con). HT: 20-6. At Aviva Stadium, Dublin.
