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'Robbed' - Fans furious as Angus Gardner non-call saves Scotland

18 Mar 2023

Referee Angus Gardner speaks to the players during the Guinness Six Nations match at BT Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh. Picture date: Saturday March 18, 2023. (Photo by Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty Images)

A lot of neutrals have questioned referee Angus Gardner and his decision not to call off-side against Scotland in the dying moments of their 26-14 Six Nations win over Italy at Murrayfield.

With the score at 19-14 to the hosts but with Italy camped on the Scottish line, Gardner’s TMO called for a knock-on against Italy, a call which infuriated captain Michele Lamaro and many neutrals watching online.

Despite Gardner twice penalising and warning Scotland for offside at the ruck, he instead deferred to his officials of a knock-on instead of penalising the Scots for a third time.

A few phases later Scotland broke up the pitch thanks to winger Duhan van der Merwe, who put Blair Kinghorn away on his inside to seal the win for the home side.

Twitter was furious with many Irish fans in particular taking exception to the non-call by the Australian referee.

HOW IS THAT NOT OFFSIDE?!
Italy absolutely robbed #SCOvITA
— Cardiff Rugby Life (@CardiffRugbyWeb) March 18, 2023

https://twitter.com/cianodo/status/1637096916323385347

Feel sorry for Italy, they were robbed again by a ref #SCOvITA
— Bruno Halter (@brhalter) March 18, 2023

Italy absolutely robbed there by the ref at the end. Warns Scotland for offside and then two phases later let’s them away with it. Early push in scrum then rewarded with advantage and Scotland in fairness to them go coast to coast. #SCOvITA
— Brian Dowling (@dowlking1) March 18, 2023

Absolute travesty at the end of #SCOvITA … Italy robbed by very poor officiating.
— Bruce Masson (@brucemasson) March 18, 2023

Scotland better team over 80min but Italy robbed (again) by very poor ref decision at the very end. Really feel for #ita – deserved at least one win in this tournament. Not their best performance today – but still had a chance to nick it at the end.
#SCOvITA
— FPL_DelBoy (@fpl_delboy) March 18, 2023

Italy robbed by Scotland and the ref. Absolutely shocking decision at the end. Clear off side. #SCOvITA
— Andy O'Brien (@AindriuOBriain) March 18, 2023

italy fully robbed of that imo appalling referring of yet another six nations match in this tournament something seriously has to be done before the world cup because there have been some absolute shockers this tournament #SCOvITA
— ★☆★ ash IS SEEING SKZ (@hanotherday) March 18, 2023

Scotland will likely finish the Six Nations in third as a result of the win Gregor Townsend will no doubt be breathing a sigh of relief.

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1 Comment

Willie 799 days ago

I find the standard of NZ and Aust referees to be disturbingly poor.

Gardner is the best of a bad bunch.

O'Keefe, Berry, Murphy and Doleman should not be allowed near a whistle.

Hopefully there are some promising referees in the next level down.

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Cantab 13 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 13 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 13 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 13 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 13 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 13 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 13 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 13 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 13 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 13 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 13 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 13 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 13 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 13 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 13 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 13 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 13 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 13 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍

37 Go to comments

NB 13 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Always the same at the other place. Some of those perceptions of him at the Tahs - lazy, overweight and slow - were impossible to shift!

37 Go to comments

NB 13 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Hang on to Miz Carlos!

37 Go to comments

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