Referee Jerome Garces was left with no choice.
Sonny Bill Williams was sent off after 24 minutes of the Second Test between New Zealand and the Lions after a quite gruesome head-hit on Anthony Watson.
With the game tied 3-3 in squalid conditions, Williams crunched into Watson’s temple with a stiff shoulder.
Each replay of the incident made it look worse and Garces sent Williams on his way. He is the first All Blacks player to get a red card since Colin Meads in 1967.
Sonny Bill on Watson
Christ!! pic.twitter.com/3tbtjwuVvt— Pat McCarry (@patmccarry) July 1, 2017
Watson went off for a Head Injury Assessment but was deemed safe to play on.
There was a strong reaction to the hit online:
https://twitter.com/AndyGoode10/status/881060905160757248
Wow!
— Adam Jones (@adamjones3) July 1, 2017
Absolutely correct. Can't have shoulder challenges to the head like that. Williams – red card.
— Paul Hayward (@_PaulHayward) July 1, 2017
Correct call from Garces. No debate over that red for Sonny Bill Williams. #NZLvBIL #LionsNZ2017
— Tom Hamilton (@tomhamiltonespn) July 1, 2017
