Rugby World Cup 2019: Opinions divided over All Blacks' yellow cards against Namibia

High tackles continue to be the talking point at the Rugby World Cup after All Blacks props Nepo Laulala and Ofa Tuungafasi were sent to the sin bin during the 71-9 win over Namibia.

Laulala was sent to the bin in the 31st minute for a high shot on wing Lesley Kim, while Tuungafasi's tackle of Darryl de la Harpe saw him sent off in the 73rd minute. 

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So far in the tournament referees have issued a record five red cards at the World Cup, along with 17 yellow cards.

The only reason why Laulala and Tuungafasi weren't given red cards was that Kim and de la Harpe were falling in the tackle when the dangerous contact was made. 

Newshub Sports Reporter John Day felt both Laulala and Tuungafasi were "unlucky" to be given yellow cards. 

"There were mitigating factors with the Namibian players slipping into the tackles," he told the AM Show from Tokyo. 

"Nepo and Ofa were unlucky as they didn't do anything wrong. If a player slips or ducks at the last second, how much of that is your fault?" 

Day added that he doesn't expect the two props to be cited for their hits as they didn't meet the red card threshold. 

Social media was also up in arms over the yellow cards. 

"Another two joke yellow cards. And I have no sympathy for New Zealand," one Twitter user wrote. 

"How are you supposed to avoid a tackle to the head when the other player is falling so low to the ground? Refereeing is a complete joke this World Cup."

After the match, All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said he had no problems with the duo receiving yellow cards. 

"They were fair under the guidelines," Hansen said.

"It's just where the game is at, at the moment," and added that such situations are unavoidable when ball-carriers fall into tacklers.

"I'm not sure how you can avoid that because if you don't use your arms, you can get done for a no-arms tackle. That's why they ruled mitigating circumstances in giving the yellow cards.

"It is difficult at the moment and it's something for us to tidy up. Each team is doing its best, but in the circumstances, it's just about unavoidable. Unfortunately, it's just where our game is at the moment."

Join us at 5:45pm Saturday for live updates of the All Blacks v Italy Rugby World Cup clash.

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