New Zealand centre Sonny Bill Williams has been sent off in the 25th minute of the second Test against the British Irish Lions for a dangerous shoulder charge at Wellington Regional stadium on Saturday.

Williams was given the red card by referee Jerome Garces for a no-armed tackle on Lions winger Anthony Watson with the score locked at 3-3.

Garces was unequivocal about his decision before he sent Williams, saying “I need to protect the player. It was a direct charge on the head.”

He’s the third All Black to ever be sent off in a Test, with Colin Meads the most recent, in 1967.

The All Blacks are up 1-0 in the series after last week’s 30-15 win.