Sorry guys, I haven't read all the posts, mainly, because I feel "some of you are coming in from the wrong side of the ruck"! Rugby has moved on from the William Webb Ellis days, in that it is professional, it attracts millions (maybe billions) of dollars in sponsorship, and thirdly, we have the curse of Sports Betting! So, for many years, I have held the belief that in all team sports, whenever a player is sent off, he or she should be replaced. Fans don't pay big dollars for stadium seats (or pay TV), to watch 15 play 14, 11 play 10, or 13 play 12!
Some may argue about "intent", or if the Assistant Referees, or TMO should be involved in the legitimacy of the decision to 'red card' a player, but in the mean time, let's get on with the match. I know this will bring out the detracters, saying that a red card is worthy of a serious penalty...ok, so if for instance it's a rugby test, suspend the player for 3 tests, or 5 Super (or the equivalent) matches, or 10 club matches. Add to that a $15,000 fine, or if the player is about to retire, make it $50,000!
Some years ago, my club was playing in the Gold Coast District First Grade Grand Final. We had a ref who was incapable of controlling the match, sending five off, resulting in 12 players from my club playing 13 from the opposition club at full time! Need I say we lost?
The decision to send off the Wesh captain may have "affected the final result (and possibly the credibility), of the 2011 RWC". Having listened to some talk-back radio since the match, I haven't heard one caller say they supported that send off!