'Shocker' - Poite under fire from Welsh fans for dismissing TMO's call moments before England try

French referee Romain Poite was under fire – again – this time from Welsh fans after dismissing TMO Brian MacNeice’s interjection in the lead up to England’s first try in their Autumn Nations Cup match with Wales at Parc Y Scarlets.

Poite dismissed two major TMO interjections, one which favoured Wales and one that clearly didn’t.

The TMO let Poite know via his earpiece that Dan Biggar had been tackled in the air by England backrow Sam Underhill after he collected a high ball just outside his 22. Biggar was subsequently turned over. Poite dismissed the decision verbally while on the run, and a few phases later England’s Henry Slade had scored in the corner.

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Replays showed that the TMO was correct, with Biggar clearly mid-air when Underhill made contact.

“Romain Poite is succeeding in turning this into a complete shambles. Indecisive when he needs to be decisive, decisive when he should have listened to his TMO. Really poor thus far,” posted one irate Tweeter, and it summed up a lot of the sentiment directed at the Frenchman.

Romain Poite is succeeding in turning this into a complete shambles. Indecisive when he needs to be decisive, decisive when he should have listened to his TMO. Really poor thus far. #WALvENG

— Matt Edwards (@mattedwards05) November 28, 2020

“If you ever feel a bit inadequate at work, just remember that Romain Poite has been a test level referee for over a decade,” said another.

If you ever feel a bit inadequate at work, just remember that Romain Poite has been a test level referee for over a decade #WALvENG

— Neil Baker (@neilb1973) November 28, 2020

“There’s no doubt that England are the better side and have dominated possession and territory but Poite has absolutely killed Wales. Three significant wrong calls which have lead to England points.”

There's no doubt that England are the better side and have dominated possession and territory but Poite has absolutely killed Wales.
Three significant wrong calls which have lead to England points.#WALvENG

— Huw G Jones (@HuwGJones310) November 28, 2020

https://twitter.com/gharkness23/status/1332720533541183490

What law book is Romain Poite using for this match!? It’s certainly new to me ?#WALvENG

— Daniel Jenkins (@DanWJenkins) November 28, 2020

First VAR and now Poite ignoring TMO when it’s a clear pen. FFS #WALvENG

— NickFielden (@NickFielden) November 28, 2020

Questionable decisions by the ref here #WALvENG #AutumnNationsCup

— Cerys Cuddihy (@CerysCuddihy) November 28, 2020

Every 50:50 call is going England’s way. Poite deciding who will win this game #WALvENG

— Dan (@DanS258) November 28, 2020

https://twitter.com/DevOpsSmith/status/1332722383900307460

Says a lot that Romain Poite took all the time in the world to look at a Welsh try where there was no infringement but won’t look at the screen for two incidents where the TMO is telling him there’s a problem…#WALvENG

— The Rugby Critic (@therugbycritic) November 28, 2020

Oh surprise surprise Romain Poite telling the TMO something that was clearly not ok that it was ok because it was done by white #WALvENG

— Sarah Pantry (@anigeluk) November 28, 2020

Minutes later a questionable hit by England fullback Elliot Daly was also deemed fine, despite cameras angles suggesting the Saracen’s tackle technique lacked an arm wrap and was a tad high.

Poite missing a shoulder charge from Daly on Josh Adams! #WALvENG

— Dave Brookes (@TheDaveBrookes) November 28, 2020

https://twitter.com/LewisMeadhbh/status/1332725329392230409

https://twitter.com/davidrhyselward/status/1332725652584325121

Others were delighted to see a referee sticking up for his on-field decisions.

Loving Poite dismissing the TMo both for charge down and tackle in the air. He wants a game of rugby as much as the rest of us!#WALvENG

— Christopher Dawson (@writerCPDawson) November 28, 2020