[Osem]

It's not as simple as all that is it. Imagine how the losing side in a RWC final would feel having lost out because the ref decided to ignore a major rule and use his judgement instead. Suddenly 'common sense' becomes bad refereeing at best and favouritism at worst. Had Warburton not been sent off and France gone out I dare say the French would have had quite a bit to say about that decision and I don't think they'd have been praising the ref for using his common sense.

The IRB defined the rule quite clearly so from what I can see the ref. had no choice in the matter. If the rules regarding these situations are rewritten to allow more 'interpretation' by the ref. and require consultation with the other match officials before decisions are made in such cases then that might be the best, if not perfect, way to deal with scenarios like this.

Having said that, had the rules been equally clear when the Lions played the All Blacks in 2005, Brian O'Driscoll almost certainly wouldn't have been dangerously spear tackled and forced out of the tour. If he had been, at least the 2 players involved would've been sent off and missed the rest of the series - a fitting punishment. That wouldn't have been a bad result for those of us who want to see an end to seriously dangerous and cynical play.