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'What's he on?' - Andy Goode calls out TMO Ben Skeen after latest shocker
By Ian Cameron
Former England flyhalf Andy Goode has called out TMO Ben Skeen, the television match official behind some of the Rugby World Cup’s most controversial calls.
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Despite seizing the upper hand in the opening 15 minutes, the Wallabies were unable to contain England who pulled away to a 40-16 victory with a pair of tries in each half.
However, one potential try that was referred to TMO Skeen left many scratching their heads.
In the lead up to a disallowed Wallabies try, Skeen called a pass as ‘not obviously’ forward. Match referee Jerome Garces quickly corrected him, saying that it was “obviously forward”.
It wasn’t missed by Goode. “Ben Skeen saying that pass was ok! What’s he on?!”
https://twitter.com/AndyGoode10/status/1185481679722430474
The Tweet received over 1700 likes.
https://twitter.com/RavWilding/status/1185482791678545920
https://twitter.com/Specsavers/status/1185497693977747456
https://twitter.com/EricAnbo/status/1185485527715155969
https://twitter.com/RossiHancock/status/1185481695845343232
https://twitter.com/mattkeanebutler/status/1185483089734180865
Ben Skeen is on crack! #ENGvAUS #RugbyWorldCup
— T T-M (@theboy2306) October 19, 2019
Skeen came in for a lot of criticism during the pool stages of the tournament.
Former All Black coach Hart described Skeen’s performance as TMO in the Australia-Wales game as “tedious and ridiculous”.
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“Let the referees judge on what they see,” he said.
“In the Australia v Wales game, the interference from the TMO was tedious and ridiculous. The referee was losing his control … it was in the hands of the TMO.
“I wouldn’t often agree with Michael Cheika but I do think the refs have become spooked because of the publicity and pressure they are under in decision making.”
This is beyond rugby! #AUSvWAL #RWC2019 pic.twitter.com/o1PJlqXXXs
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 29, 2019
Former Wallaby Phil Kearns also took a pop at Skeen’s decision making.
“The whole referring display has been disgraceful, not only by Romain Poite but by Ben Skeen as well,” Kearns said on Fox Sports after Australia and Wales’ pool encounter.
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“It was just embarrassing that the referee hasn’t gone back to look how far, he’s even two-meters in front of his own defensive line that are moving up, that’s an embarrassment.”
Jim Hamilton breaks down who he thinks will win in Sunday’s clash between Wales and France in the Rugby World Cup Quarter final.
