Even South African fans stunned as TMO decision rubs out Crusaders' match-winning try

The Crusaders have failed to beat a South African side for the second time in three weeks, coming away from Newlands with a 19-all draw against the Stormers.

It seemed that the Crusaders would take the match when in-form wing Sevu Reece blistered down the sideline in the 75th minute before chipping ahead into the Stormers backfield. A fortuitous bounce found its way back into Reece’s hands to score what would’ve been a match-sealing try. A contentious TMO decision ruled a forward pass in the lead-up by Braydon Ennor to deny the score.

Ah well, a draw is better than a loss, I guess. But the decision to disallow Reece's try leaves a bitter taste in the mouth; that pass was so clearly not forward. It should have been a bonus point win to us. Still topping the points table, so it's best to move on quickly #STOvCRU

— #RugbyCrusaders (@RugbyCrusaders) May 18, 2019

https://twitter.com/theyellowcap/status/1129793085054095361

I must agree, that call was shocking. And that coming from a staunch SA supporter that wanted the stormers to beat the Crusaders. #STOvCRU

— JC Kruger (@JCproSA) May 18, 2019

#stovcru its a draw. 19-19. bullshit call lost it for the @crusadersrugby never mind, a loss because of that would of really pissed me off tho. 3.06am off to bed…..night all pic.twitter.com/gM5fKAuLCd

— raewynne (@choiceknickers) May 18, 2019

Hells yes, deny these cheating thugs a victory. #STOvCRU

— Wesley Sasman (@Weslisa2000) May 18, 2019

The ball did appear to sail forward from Ennor’s pass that left his hands on halfway and was caught by Reece a few metres in front of that, but whether he propelled the ball backward out of the hands remains contentious.

The Stormers have not been without refereeing controversy this season when the visiting Lions were undone by questionable penalties to keep the game going which resulted in a try in the 85th-minute to win the match for the home side in Round 2. The match was refereed by former Stormers player Egon Seconds.

The ensuing scrum gave the Stormers the platform they needed to make a last-ditch effort at stealing the win, which they earnt a penalty from to set-up a grandstand finish. They could have taken the match themselves when a try went begging to Damian Willemse who knocked-on a cross-field kick with the line begging.

With advantage being played for high tackle, Stormers captain Siya Kolisi opted to kick a penalty goal to tie the match instead of going for the win.