SANZAAR has admitted its officials got it wrong after the Crusaders were forced to play with 14 men for the final six minutes of their Super Rugby clash with the Reds on Saturday.
Crusaders substitute Mitch Hunt was forced from the field in the 71st minute at Suncorp Stadium after receiving a head knock.
Starting five‑eighth Richie Mo’unga returned to the fray for three minutes before the referee and his fellow officials convened and decided the No 10 could not continue.
The Crusaders had made all of their substitutions and the officials believed Hunt had come off for tactical reasons, and not because of concussion protocols.
With just 14 men on the field, the Crusaders conceded a 75th minute try to Reds loose forward Scott Higginbotham in the eventual 22‑12 round three win.
That cost the Crusaders a bonus point they would have picked up by winning by three tries or more.
The Crusaders will face the Chiefs at 4.15pm this Saturday while the Blues will meet the Sunwolves at 6.35pm.
Meanwhile, on Friday the Hurricanes will meet the Highlanders at 6.35pm while the Rebels will take on the Brumbies at 8.45pm.
[Source: FoxSports]
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