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'Gutless': Brumbies 'robbed' of chance to win by non-call in final moments of semi-final

(Source/Sky Sport NZ)

After the Blues built a 20-7 halftime lead it looked like the home side would canter into their first full Super Rugby final since 2003, only for a spirited comeback by the Brumbies to close the gap to just one point.

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In the frantic final moments as the Blues tried to wind down the clock, an erratic pass left lock Luke Romano to clean up the scraps in the backfield. After being tackled and isolated with the Brumbies competing ferociously for the ball, ref Ben O’Keeffe let play go on.

Brumbies flanker Luke Reimer was first over the ball and looked to have secured a holding on penalty that would have given the Brumbies the chance to kick the game-winning penalty from 38-metres out, directly in front.

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What went wrong for the Hurricanes and Highlanders

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What went wrong for the Hurricanes and Highlanders

As it was the Blues lost the ball to the Brumbies, who played a few phases before flyhalf Noah Lolesio attempted a long range drop goal that got charged down by prop Ofa Tuungafasi, forcing the visitors back into their own half and out of range.

O’Keeffe’s call was labelled ‘gutless’ by fans on both sides of the ditch as even Kiwi’s agreed it was a clear holding on penalty to the Brumbies. One fan described it as a ‘stone cold penalty’ while another said it was ‘atrocious’ that the call was not given.

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Speaking to media after the match, the Brumbies were puzzled at the call and would be taking a second look at it on review. Coach Dan McKellar strongly implied he believed a penalty should have been given.

“There were a couple of decisions there that will be interesting to review,” Dan McKellar said.

“Luke Reimer appeared to be well and truly on the ball directly in front of the posts. Did you guys see that?

“I saw Luke Reimer on the ball, surviving clean out directly in front of the posts.

“When you’re playing at Eden Park and an Australian team hasn’t won here forever and a day, you need a bit of luck, don’t you? And we just didn’t get that tonight.”

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Comments

15 Comments
r
rod 873 days ago

The simple answer to question of referees is why didn’t we have Neutral refs for the finals series? Maybe next year

n
neil 875 days ago

The brumbies got way more calls or non calls in their favour. Review the whole match before you start your whinge

M
Mihai 875 days ago

McKellar's team had (ok, arguably..) the best defense in the competition, his men enjoyed such a fantastic physical endurance that made me think of Popeye after having been fed a very potent kind of spinach before the game, played 15 against 14 for ~20% of the game and what does he do? He tries to defend his job by deflecting. He is right about the penalty, so what, his team should not have been behind at that point, period. With such a team another coach would have won the competition. BTW, I need some strong spinach myself, I will email McKellar.

G
GrahamVF 876 days ago

So glad that South Africa is no longer subjected to Aussie refs vs NZ teams and visa versa. Anyone remember the Bismarck du Plessis red card when he legally flattened Dan Carter? Not to mention a certain ref called Bryce (I’m sorry I choked)? So glad we’re out of that and we’re going to net NH refs for the remainder of the Rugby Championship contract. There are some pretty dodgy refs in the URC but they are not biased just sometimes out of their depth.

S
Skinny Pins 876 days ago

As an Aucklander I am embarrassed the Blues are into the final. The referee was unbelievably biased in the Blues favour, and was the only reason the Blues won. Are we as Kiwis OK with this? This isn't what NZ rugby is about. NZR should issue a formal apology to Rugby Australia, and that ought to be the last game this referee ever officiates. This was totally corrupt. It is shameful our rugby media aren't calling this out.

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