Of all the reactions to Scott Barrett's red card, Michael Cheika's was the most surprising.

"I love to play the game tough, right," the Wallabies coach said when asked for his thoughts on referee Jerome Garces' decision to send off the New Zealand lock for a shoulder charge on Michael Hooper.

Scott Barrett leaves the field after receiving a red card for a shoulder charge on Michael Hooper. Credit:AAP

"It’s disappointing, for me, that a player gets sent off like that, but referees have been given guidelines."

The Wallabies coach, knowing he'd also criticised the match officials for Taniela Tupou's yellow card at Ellis Park last month, was perhaps taking the judicious approach.