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Mark Cueto doubles down on history-changing 'no-try' decision

(Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)

In 2007, England came within an inch of becoming the first nation to win back-to-back World Cup championships.

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With England sitting six points adrift of South Africa and 20 minutes left on the clock, wing Mark Cueto looked to have scored a try which would have given England a chance at taking the lead and suffocating the Springboks out of the match.

After over two minutes of deliberations, the TMO ruled that Cueto’s foot had grazed the sideline in the tackle of Danie Rossouw.

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Wasps’ Billy Searle took on Ulster’s Billy Burns in the Quarter-finals of the RugbyPass FIFA Pros competition.

South Africa went on to win the match 15-6.

Cueto’s been haunted by the non-try ever since.

“Everyone takes the mick out of me when I say I still think it was a try but I genuinely do,” said Cueto in the build-up to last year’s World Cup final between the same two nation. “There’s a million angles to suggest it was a try and there was one angle where it was 50-50.

“South Africa didn’t get in our 22, they scored all their points from penalties. You never know how it would have gone but we were confident we could have closed the game out.”

With all rugby at a standstill in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, Cueto likely hasn’t lacked for time to reflect – and he’s now doubled down on his call that the wrong decision was made 13 years ago.

South Africa Rugby magazine tweeted earlier this week that journalist Jon Cardinelli’s favourite World Cup moment was Rossouw’s tackle – and Cueto was quick to respond.

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While Cueto may be sticking to his guns on that matter, he may well be wishing he hadn’t spoken up prior to last year’s final.

“I see it as a positive,” Cueto said. “It’s my fifth year since I retired and you soon get forgotten so it’s quite a nice thing to be remembered. Obviously I’d rather be remembered for something a bit more positive.

“Certainly this week I knew it was going to be mentioned more than ever. I don’t know when it will go away, I think maybe if we go on to beat South Africa this weekend and win the World Cup then there’s almost no reason to refer back to ’07 any more. From a selfish point of view, that would be sad because then I’d be really forgotten, wouldn’t I?”

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South Africa, of course, triumphed 32-12, consigning the English to another loss against their Southern Hemisphere rivals. There were no moments of controversy to speak about, England were simply outplayed across the park.

It looks like Mark Cueto and his ‘try’ won’t be forgotten any time soon.

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B
BeamMeUp 6 minutes ago
The Springboks have something you don't have

A few comments. Firstly, I am a Bok fan and it's been a golden period for us. I hope my fellow Bok fans appreciate this time and know that it cannot last forever, so soak it all in!


The other thing to mention (and this is targeted at Welsh, English and even Aussie supporters who might be feeling somewhat dejected) is that it's easy to forget that just before Rassie Erasmus took over in 2018, the Boks were ranked 7th in the world and I had given up hope we'd ever be world beaters again.


Sport is a fickle thing and Rassie and his team have managed to get right whatever little things it takes to make a mediocre team great. I initially worried his methods might be short-lived (how many times can you raise a person's commitment by talking about his family and his love of his country as a motivator), but he seems to have found a way. After winning in 2019 on what was a very simple game plan, he has taken things up ever year - amazing work which has to be applauded! (Dankie Rassie! Ons wardeer wat jy vir die ondersteuners en die land doen!) (Google translate if you don't understand Afrikaans! 😁)


I don't think people outside South Africa fully comprehend the enormity of the impact seeing black and white, English, Afrikaans and Xhosa and all the other hues playing together does for the country's sense of unity. It's pure joy and happiness.


This autumn tour has been a bit frustrating in that the Boks have won, but never all that convincingly. On the one hand, I'd like to have seen more decisive victories, BUT what Rassie has done is expose a huge number of players to test rugby, whilst also diversifying the way the Boks play (Tony Brown's influence).


This change of both style and personnel has resulted in a lack of cohesion at times and we've lost some of the control, whereas had we been playing our more traditional style, that wouldn't happen. This is partially attributable to the fact that you cannot play Tony Brown's expansive game whilst also having 3 players available at every contact point to clear the defence off the ball. I have enjoyed seeing the Boks play a more exciting, less attritional game, which is a boring, albeit effective spectacle. So, I am happy to be patient, because the end justifies the means (and I trust Rassie!). Hopefully all these players we are blooding will give us incredible options for substitutions come next year's Rugby Championship and of course, the big prize in 2027.


Last point! The game of rugby has never been as exciting as it is now. Any of Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, France, Argentina, Scotland, England & Australia can beat one another. South Africa may be ranked #1, but I wouldn't bet my house in them beating France or New Zealand, and we saw Argentina beating both South Africa and New Zealand this year! That's wonderful for the game and makes the victories we do get all the sweeter. Each win is 100% earned. Long may it last!


Sorry for the long post! 🏉🌍

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