Chris Wood scoring goals is barely even news at this point given his exploits for Nottingham Forest this season, but his hattrick for New Zealand on Friday came with a bizarre caution.
Wood scored a hat-trick against Samoa in his last international outing for New Zealand in 2024, supported by a brace against Vanuatu just three days earlier.
In the time between international football, the 33-year-old has only continued this rich vein of form in the Premier League for Forest, aiding in Nuno Espirito Santo’s side closing in on Champions League qualification.
Wood scored three in the 7-0 demolition of Brighton in February as the Kiwi hitman continued to rack up crucial goals for the Forest squad, totalling 18 Premier League strikes with nine games still to play.
It was no surprise really then to see the goalscoring form transfer back to the international stage with his hat-trick against Fiji on Friday, but a bizarre yellow card has dominated the narrative for Wood.
Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images
Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images
Chris Wood received a yellow card for interacting with New Zealand fans
Wood’s job was done early as his hat-trick was sealed on the hour mark, leading to head coach Darren Bazeley substituting his star man in the 62nd minute for a well-earned rest.
Naturally, New Zealand fans are in awe of the Forest man so Wood took the opportunity to sign a few autographs, something the referee did not approve of.
MORE FOREST STORIES
Chris Wood was booked for signing autographs during New Zealand's game against Fiji 🟨😅
After scoring a hat-trick of headers, the Nottingham Forest striker was subbed off.
He then headed into the crowd where he spent several minutes with fans – and received a yellow card for… pic.twitter.com/U5DHSp2mpo
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) March 21, 2025
View Tweet
In an incredibly harsh turn of events, Wood was cautioned by referee Norbert Hauata for this harmless act, which seemed especially harsh given that the striker was no longer actively involved in the match having been subbed off.
It takes a particularly odd refereeing decision to overshadow a unique hat-trick of headers, but Hauata’s booking has become the central story from New Zealand’s 7-0 win, leading to both Wood and Bazeley discussing the matter after the game.
Chris Wood reacts to strange yellow card for New Zealand
Speaking to the television cameras after the game, Wood said that he was: “just trying to do something nice and sign for the fans,” which seems completely reasonable given that the Kiwi supporters have very few chances to see their star in person.
Stuff, a New Zealand media outlet, also captured quotes from head coach Bazeley, who was equally surprised by what had happened.
He said that he: “Wasn’t sure what happened there,” but chose to focus on the positives. adding: “There’s no harm done. It’s a yellow card that doesn’t carry over so he’ll be fine.”
The Reds striker clearly takes pride in all matters to do with captaining his country, with Wood praising both Tyler Bindon and Marko Stamenic as two fellow Forest Kiwis who he believes could yet make an impact at the City Ground.
Before returning to the Forest training ground, Wood and New Zealand will travel to play New Caledonia knowing that a win will qualify them for the World Cup in 2026. Hopefully, Wood’s goals will be the only thing capturing the headlines on Monday.