New Zealand out-half Beauden Barrett said he was "gutted" for Tadhg Beirne and stressed there was no intent in the incident which ended the Ireland flanker's involvement in the game.
Beirne was shown a yellow card after four minutes, his shoulder made contact with Barrett's head. During the Munster player's spell in the sin bin, the foul play review officer Dan Jones decided that the penalty should be upgraded to a red.
Ulster lock Iain Henderson replaced Beirne after the 20-minute period had elapsed. Ireland led for most of the game but three tries in the final quarter saw New Zealand win 26-13, gaining revenge for their 2016 defeat at the same venue.
The consensus was that the upgrade to a red card was harsh on Beirne, a view Barrett shares.
"I spoke to Tadhg after the game and I was gutted for him," Barrett told RTÉ Sport in the mixed zone.
"It was one of those unfortunate parts of the game. I didn't expect the ball. I was hoping that Cam (Roigard) would have played the other option.
"He (Beirne) had no option. He didn't intentionally put a shoulder on me. I can't hide from the fact that I copped a shoulder to somewhere up there (his head). That's what happened.
"But I'll support him in terms of mitigating whatever happens next. I don't feel there's any intention there, it's just unfortunate."
Asked whether such a call vindicated the move to 20-minute red cards, Barrett emphatically agreed.
"Certainly in this instance. He may have only deserved a yellow. But 20 (minutes) is the absolute worst in this instance."
The 34-year old Barrett, a two-time former World Player of the Year, was asked by Irish reporters whether he would consider joining his brother Jordie in Ireland, the centre having played with Leinster in 2024-25.
"I actually had a promo at Adidas yesterday and 90% were Irish fans who came along and I reckon every single person asked me that question. Mostly Leinster fans, but the occasional Munster fan just to make things even.
"It's very tempting because I love the Irish and I have spent time there in the past. But I am 34 there now so playing in Ireland might be a tough sell to my wife and family. But never say never."
