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'Ridiculous call' - Unprecedented Mathieu Raynal decision fires debate
By Ian Cameron
‘Ridiculous call’: That’s how Australian TV commentators Andrew Mehrtens and Tim Horan on Stan Sport described Mathieu Raynal’s late time-wasting call that gave the All Blacks‘ the opportunity to strike back in the final play of the game.
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With the Wallabies leading 37-34 after a dramatic second-half comeback, Raynal penalised Wallabies’ flyhalf Bernard Foley for time-wasting in the 79th minute when about to clear the Wallabies lines. What looked like a famous Bledisloe win for the Aussies was then dashed two minutes later with Jordie Barrett eventually crossing the line after the buzzer to clinch victory from the jaws of defeat.
Foley could be heard claiming it wasn’t time-wasting because the clock had been stopped before Raynal explained to skipper Nic White that he had told Foley that he was going to say ‘time back on’ and that Foley had to kick the ball with no delay.
Replays showed Foley turned and said something to his forwards briefly before kicking the ball – nine seconds – after Raynal had called ‘Time on’, but it was enough for the Frenchman to penalise and hand possession straight back to the grateful All Blacks.
Très bizarre. Très madness. Rugby is the winner. If you’re not Australian. They must be absolutely fuming.
— Jim Hamilton (Vice Captain) (@jimhamilton4) September 15, 2022
The decision split social media, although the majority felt the unprecedented decision was totally uncalled for.
Nine News broadcaster and sports reporter Michael Atkinson wrote: “Thank you Morgan Turinui and Tim Horan for voicing the thoughts of so many rugby fans, absolutely teeing off on that final call. Law book, whatever, that decision should never dictate a result in that moment in any match.”
Thank you @MorganTurinui and @TimHoran12 for voicing the thoughts of so many rugby fans, absolutely teeing off on that final call.
Law book, whatever, that decision should never dictate a result in that moment in any match. #AUSvNZL #BledisloeCup @StanSportAU— Michael Atkinson (@kinson88) September 15, 2022
Irish Independent journalist Rúaidhrí O’Connor: “If this is the beginning of a war on time-wasting then bring it on. If its a once off, out of the blue, never to be repeated decision then it’s bonkers.”
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If this is the beginning of a war on time-wasting then bring it on. If its a once off, out of the blue, never to be repeated decision then it's bonkers
— Rúaidhrí O'Connor (@RuaidhriOC) September 15, 2022
South African journalist Brendan Nel wrote: “It was a massive call, and one that in 26 years of covering rugby I’ve never seen. It shouldn’t have been a call that settled the game, but it was. Every AB supporter will say it was fair, every Aussie supporter the opposite. As a neutral to me it was wrong.”
With that Raynal basicallty handed the Rugby champs to the All Blacks.
Bizarre reffing all round, not just that final call.
Totally bizarre. Not a good look for the game, no matter who you support.— Brenden Nel (@Brendennel) September 15, 2022
One Australian rugby fan account wrote: “I prefer to see the players decide the outcome of the game not the referee. Mathieu Raynal should never referee at test level again.”
I prefer to see the players decide the outcome of the game not the referee.
Mathieu Raynal should never referee at test level again @WorldRugby
— Loosehead Greg (@LooseheadG) September 15, 2022
Another wrote: “I really want to say a fair go for the ref, but I honestly don’t know what to say. I have never seen a call like that. Foley was looking to kick, clearly we’re acting on the penalty, despite taking our time. Can’t fault the boys, but I’m lost for words.”
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I really want to say a fair go for the ref, but I honestly don't know what to say. I have never seen a call like that. Foley was looking to kick, clearly we're acting on the penalty, despite taking our time.
Can't fault the boys, but I'm lost for words #AUSvNZL #BledisloeCup— Nick Wasiliev (@Nick_Wasiliev) September 15, 2022
Others defended Raynal, with the Sydney Morning Herald’s Iain Payten giving a useful second-by-second timeline of the incident, which suggested that the official’s decision didn’t come without provocation:
78.25: Penalty.
78.50: Raynal – “Play on please”.
78.55: Raynal – “Quick play”.
78.56: Raynal blows time off. “Time off.
7 seconds elapses. “You play now. Time on.”
Three seconds.
78.59: Raynal “Ten?” – Foley looks back, begins kick.
79.04: Blows freekick39 seconds had elapsed
78.25: Penalty.
78.50: Raynal – "Play on please".
78.55: Raynal – "Quick play".
78.56: Raynal blows time off. "Time off.
7 seconds elapses. "You play now. Time on."
Three seconds.
78.59: Raynal "Ten?" – Foley looks back, begins kick.
79.04: Blows freekick39 seconds had elapsed
— iainpayten (@iainpayten) September 15, 2022
Former England flyhalf Andy Goode also defended the call, writing: “Actually a decent call in my opinion from Mathieu Raynal to penalise the time wasting of Bernard Foley. What a finish to the game! The Aussies will be raging though!”
Actually a decent call in my opinion from Mathieu Raynal to penalise the time wasting of Bernard Foley. What a finish to the game! The Aussies will be raging though! #AUSvNZ
— Andy Goode (@AndyGoode10) September 15, 2022
It was the only big call for Raynal, who issued a yellow card to Darcy Swain in the first half when many believed it should have been red. Swain was adjudged to have deliberately targeted the lower limb of Quinn Tupaea.
The need to get over it. But in saying that I still remember the Aussie under arm bowling in cricket
thats the first time i have seen a player being penalised for time wasting hope it sets an example for other teams to learn from it
The Aussies ignored the ref throughout the game, acting slowly to his instructions to such an extent he had had enough. Watch when he was trying to speak to their 13 for a YC calling for him several times, ignored by the skipper to get the 13 to speak to the ref. Foley rolled the dice and lost the game ignoring his team mates yelling for him to kick - arrogant. No surprises there!
Earlier in the game the referee warned Foley for time wasting when Australia had players in the bin. Clearly he did not get the message.
Ha, ha. So, Ben S, Nic White was "smart" to win the penalty against Faf de Klerk with his play acting...but in doing so, he put invited scrutiny by officials for further gamesmanship. You reap what you sow, Wallabies...
When I signed up and started paying for The XV, I was getting quality rugby content. I was getting professionals, explaining certain events and giving there opinion on what should have happened. I don’t need to know about what’s going on on social media or what a journalist said. This is not what I signed up for. This is click-bait. Please bring back the quality content that was and is still being promised.
Two larrikin acts from Australia, one of deliberate violence, one of pushing the law too hard. By contrast one act of stupidity by NZ not taking the penalty to draw level. For brain fades neither side deserved to win.
At that moment of the game, 40 seconds is clearly an obstruction to the spirit of rugby, where no extra-time is called.
Desperate for the Australians, but at least 2 of Foley's mates were aware he was playing with fire, shouting at him to kick it. That simple fact screams the truth
Let's keep in mind the ref only handed the AB a scrum. They won playing, not gambling on the clock.
Once again a referee takes centre stage.