Rugby, Australian Football: Shaw off as England lose

Sir Clive Woodward slammed the decision to send off lock Simon Shaw as "ridiculous" during England's 36-12 second Test defeat against New Zealand at Eden Park.

Wasps forward Shaw was dismissed in the 11th minute by Welsh referee Nigel Williams for use of the knee on his opposite number Keith Robinson.

Williams waved the red card after an intervention from Australian touch judge Stuart Dickinson, and the linesman's recommendation has incensed Woodward and his management team.

Playing with 14 men for around 70 minutes predictably cost England dear, and they lost the Test series 2-0 before heading to Brisbane for a World Cup final rematch with Australia next Saturday.

Had Shaw, who became only the third England player to be sent off in international rugby history, not been despatched, then it might well have been a different story in terms of the result.

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