It was a tremendously contested first half of rugby at the Aviva Stadium, with two stunning Irish tries inspired by some Simon Zebo and Garry Ringrose magic giving Joe Schmidt's side a 17-7 lead over Australia.
The mind briefly wandered to last weekend's 'physical' contest with the All Blacks, however, when Wallaby flanker Dean Mumm landed himself in hot water for, well, landing Tagdh Furlong on his bonce.
The Aussie 6 clearly made a concerted effort to lift Furlong from the leg, and tipped the Leinster and Irish prop onto his head - albeit not at particularly ferocious velocity - and so French referee Jerome Garces was forced into action.
"It's that counter-ruck and the lifting as well. It's our safety, you know?" asked Ireland captain Rory Best of Garces.
You can view the incident below.
Australia's Dean Mumm gets a yellow card for this tackle on Tadhg Furlong. Follow live here: https://t.co/Enb9LCwbej https://t.co/dI4Ro51WUM
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) November 26, 2016
After a lengthy discussion, Garces and linesman Nigel Owens concurred that, because the tackle was not 'dynamic' and the lift of Fulong was carried out so slowly, it merited just a yellow card.
Ryle Nugent and Donal Lenihan in the RTÉ studios were far from convinced by the decision, and like many viewers, were left pondering why sanctions for such a borderline challenge are left 'open to interpretation'.
Jerome Garces had an excellent view of this clearout of Tadhg Furlong when the Irish prop was all over the ball pic.twitter.com/iRxZRc1aap
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) November 26, 2016
It's gone to TMO and Nigel Owens and Garces review the footage - it's yellow for Dean Mumm https://t.co/Enb9LCwbej pic.twitter.com/FmmL0e4qIk
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) November 26, 2016
On Twitter, the rugby world had its own interpretation of what was undoubtedly a difficult decision:
Mumm is a very lucky boy... as is Simmons, clearly got fingers going towards the 👀 a playing landing on their head is currently 🔴 #irevaus
— Paul Welch (@paulwelch93) November 26, 2016
Surely a yellow card for that tackle by Mumm is not enough to deter that type of play? #IREvAUS
— Donal Ryan (@donalryanlk) November 26, 2016
Mumm yellow: Difficult call, but if you were to trust anyone to make it, it would be Nigel & Jerome. Great teamwork @Nigelrefowens #IRLvAUS
— Robyn Morton (@robyntmorton) November 26, 2016
Should have been a red card for Dean Mumm #irevaus
— robert b groom (@groomr) November 26, 2016
Earls was sent off for Munster for the same tackle that Mumm got a yellow for there #irevaus
— Pádraigh O'Donovan (@pods_o) November 26, 2016
