Opinion: Technically correct and utterly absurd. Bledisloe chaos sums up rugby’s refereeing problem | iainpayten
in the dying stages of the Bledisloe Cup will be debated for decades. The tone will be wildly different in different parts of the world.
And then, up in the magical pixieland of refereeing rooms and in World Rugby’s smoky cognac lounge, a law book will be proffered and bullet points fired off to prove that Raynal was technically correct to ping Bernard Foley for not kicking the ball “without delay”.But that would be missing the point entirely.
But despite Australia fielding a league team for 10 minutes, the game still turned out to be a nail biter. The Wallabies started poorly but fought back, until those three yellow cards saw New Zealand take the upper hand.It looked like the same old movie playing out. But the Wallabies fought back and changed the final act. Instead of chasing with wild abandon and giving up a 50-pointer, the Wallabies returned to what had worked in the first half, with power running and consistent pressure.
The 32-year-old had a rough start but grew solidly and delivered the last pass for two of the Wallabies’ three tries in the last quarter. Foley also kicked his six goals and suddenly and improbably, with a Nic White long-range penalty, the Wallabies led. Pete Samu was immense. The Wallabies No.10 looked behind to his encircled forwards, waiting for a call, and would tell Raynal later he believed time was still off. Without warning of the sanction to come, and just 39 seconds after the penalty was awarded, Reynal then pumped his whistle and pinged Foley for time-wasting.
Australia has lost the Bledisloe Cup many ways, but this one was a painful new low. And it was unfair on the players, and Foley.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Wallabies demand explanation after ‘disgraceful’ referee decisionWallabies coach Dave Rennie said he was stunned in the final minutes of Australia’s opening Bledisloe Cup match after a huge call from referee Mathieu Raynal.
Read more »
Bledisloe Cup 2022: Wallabies v All Blacks – Rugby Championship liveMinute-by-minute report: Australia take on arch-rivals New Zealand in the first Bledisloe of the year, which doubles as a crucial Rugby Championship match
Read more »
Bledisloe Cup 2022: All Blacks win on final play as referee stuns Wallabies with controversial callThe Wallabies and All Blacks battle for the first Bledisloe Cup win of 2022 in front of a sold-out crowd at Marvel Stadium.
Read more »
Wallabies shattered after 'disgraceful' refereeing call in Bledisloe Cup Test lossThe Wallabies are left to reflect on their agonising 39-37 defeat to the All Blacks in Melbourne following a controversial finish that had players and commentators stunned.
Read more »