All Blacks lock Barrett faces ban after Bledisloe red card

Associated Press
Australia's Isi Naisarani, centre, is tackled by New Zealand's Ben Smith and Scott Barrett during their rugby union test match in Perth, Australia, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Trevor Collens)

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — All Blacks lock Scott Barrett will face a judicial panel Sunday after being sent off for a dangerous tackle during Saturday's Bledisloe Cup rugby test against Australia.

Barrett, whose red card just before halftime was a key moment in the Wallabies' 47-26 win in the first of two tests against New Zealand , faces a ban which would at least rule him out of the return match in Auckland next weekend.

The offense carries a potential six week ban which could also mean Barrett, if found guilty, could be in danger of being under suspension when the World Cup begins in Japan next month.

French referee Jerome Garces sent off Barrett for a shoulder charge on Wallabies captain Michael Hooper at a ruck late in the first half. New Zealand trailed Australia by three points when the incident occurred and struggled to contain a rampant home team with only 14 men throughout the second half.

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