In response to a media report from New Zealand, World Rugby has issued a statement addressing the alleged error in the disallowed try during last month’s Rugby World Cup final between the All Blacks and the Springboks. The report suggested that World Rugby privately admitted to the All Blacks that the ruling out of Aaron Smith’s try was outside the rules but refrained from making a public acknowledgment.
The controversy arose when TMO Tom Foley spotted a knock-on at a lineout, leading referee Wayne Barnes to disallow Aaron Smith’s try. However, the crucial knock-on had occurred four phases before the try, a detail inconsistent with the TMO’s authority to review only the two preceding phases for any knock-on in the build-up to a try.
Despite New Zealand’s quick response with a try from Beauden Barrett on the 58th minute, the missed conversion kick resulted in a heartbreaking 12-11 loss to South Africa in the final.
World Rugby’s statement, released in response to the media report, reiterated the organization’s longstanding policy of not publicly commenting on match official decisions. It expressed unwavering support for its match official team, acknowledging the challenging nature of their roles in one of the most demanding professions in sports.
The statement emphasized, “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 perform one of the hardest jobs in professional sport to an exceptional standard.”
Addressing the broader implications of criticism directed towards match officials, the statement urged the public and the media to consider the human impact of such criticisms. World Rugby emphasized the potential for wide-ranging consequences, including online hate and threats.
The controversy surrounding the disallowed try has sparked debates among rugby enthusiasts, with opinions divided on whether World Rugby should publicly address the alleged acknowledgment of error in the ruling. Despite the ongoing discussions, the focus remains on the sport’s ability to unite fans worldwide, irrespective of the controversies that may arise. The rugby community anticipates further developments in the aftermath of this controversial revelation.
Leave a Reply