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World Rugby statement: Rugby World Cup final
By Liam Heagney
World Rugby have issued a statement in light of a media report in New Zealand alleging that the governing body privately acknowledged that the Aaron Smith try disallowed in last month’s Rugby World Cup final versus the Springboks should have stood.
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A report on stuff.co.nz read: “The All Blacks have another incident to add to their ‘what-if’ file after their agonising 12-11 loss to South Africa in the Rugby World Cup final.
“Stuff understands World Rugby has privately acknowledged to the All Blacks that the ruling out of Aaron Smith’s try in the final was in fact outside the rules, but is refusing to publicly acknowledge that.
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“It was called back when TMO Tom Foley spotted a knock-on at a lineout, and referee Wayne Barnes then disallowed the try. However, the knock-on happened four phases before the Smith try, despite the TMO only having the power to look back two phases for any knock-on in the build-up to a try.”
New Zealand quickly reacted by scoring a try on 58 minutes through Beauden Barrett but with the conversion kick missed, they went on to lose the final by a single point, 11-12.
In response to Tuesday’s media report from New Zealand, the World Rugby statement read: “As confirmed prior to Rugby World Cup 2023, World Rugby does not publicly comment on match official decisions.
“We stand by our outstanding match official team, who performing one of the hardest jobs in professional sport to an exceptional standard.
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“As we have seen in recent months, sadly, criticism of match officials can have wide-ranging consequences, including online hate and threats, and we must be mindful of such a human impact.”
Oh for goodness sake can we give this matter a rest now. Its done, over, history. Respect the outcome, mark it down as a good or bad outcome depending on your perspective and lets get back to playing rugby. We will meet again and I am sure Razor, given his pedigree will present the Springboks with an AB team that is a handful. I will be great to see Rassie and Razor squaring off with their teams because they are both top notch couches. I dont like badmouthing the AB’s, and their fans because I have always respected them as a classy bunch and these comments below are really not called for and really does not do justice to the AB history and culture.
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Aaaaw, you logged in especially to post a little cut & paste dribble 🥰
I made you do that. I own you fluffy. 🤣🤣🤣
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I can’t believe that a “reputable” publication would still get the commentary wrong. You’re owned by World Rugby, so go have a look at the rules. A phase is defined as a ruck, maul, line-out or scrum. Between the knock-on and the “try”, there were no phases. No maul. No line-out. No scrum. No Ruck. A ruck is formed when a player from each side are in contact, on their feet and over the ball. There were no phases, only tackles. The TMO was therefore within his right to review. TV broadcasters have a phase count on the screen - but they are counting recycled balls and not PHASES as defined by World Rugby.
They have got the ‘commentary’ correct. The commentary being the stuff article and WRs media, RP just reported on that.
But did they apoligise?
Team 2nd place salty today - go bokke!
Rassie is a great coach (stay off twitter) - love to see what Razor does w ABs now
If this had happened to the Boks, The Waterboy would have crashed the iCloud with video nasties. Let alone in the QterF and SemiF too. SuperSport would have posted it on the stadium screen as-Live.
Well the video certainly worked because now the boks are getting all the calls according to the legion of hallucinating sore losers
It’s even more ammusing that they’re withholding the decision on Sam Cane’s red card hearing. It’s still a missing publication on their website after, what, 2 weeks now?