New Zealand finished the day with a perfect three from three record after beating Samoa 31-24 but had to withstand a fierce fightback after Paul Scanlan was sent off within the first minute of the match.
Scanlan, who was also red carded against the All Blacks sevens in last weekend’s world series tournament in Singapore, was sent off for a high tackle on Caleb Tangitau.
Scanlan was a little unlucky in that Tangitau was falling at the time of the tackle, but Scanlan connected with the neck area and with force, leaving the officials few options.
