South Africa's national rugby union team won their record fourth title in the Rugby World Cup, but what should've been a celebration is now being questioned after new details about the officiating emerged.
The final showdown of the 10th edition of the highest rugby union competition was the most intense as it can be, with the Boks just slightly edging the All Blacks, 12-11.
The New Zealand national rugby union team was also vying for their fourth to become the record holder, but South Africa beat them to it - not without controversy.
The play in question is the try made by Aaron Smith that the officials disallowed.
1. The play in question
Aaron Smith's disallowed try in the 54th minute is at the center of controversy. The scrum-half's try was ruled out because of a knock-on by Ardie Savea during the buildup of the play. All Blacks still managed to score a legal one through Beauden Barrett just before the final whistle.
The play was made possible by fly-half Richie Mo'unga, who penetrated the Springboks' defense before linking up with his halfback partner.
Television match official Tom Foley was the one who spotted the knock-on, and after minutes of review, they decided, through referee Wayne Barnes, that the play was illegal and, therefore, disallowed.
2. Arguments against the call
After the match, the New Zealand national rugby union team tried to get technical on the call, although it was too late. They argued that Smith's try is four phases removed from the knock-on in question. According to the rules, the TMO can only look back two phases for any knock-on in the buildup to a try.
Read more: Alex Galchenyuk - Where Is He Now After Time With NHL?
3. Immediate reaction to the wrong call
The game was marred by red cards and missed calls.
Ian Foster, who left the team after the Rugby World Cup defeat, was dejected shortly after the finals loss. He knew Barnes' misgivings in the game but refused to blame him for their loss.
"We've got to have perspective about this," Foster said. "It's a tough game to referee.
"There is a lot of pressure on. Wayne is a quality person and has been a quality referee for a long time. I disagreed with several of his decisions last night, but that doesn't change the fact that he's a quality person and quality ref.
4. Latest admission by World Cup Rugby
Recent reports from New Zealand revealed that World Cup Rugby officials admitted that they made a mistake during a crucial play.
"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," the Kiwi publication wrote on November 14.
"Discussions have been ongoing in an effort to get World Rugby to publicly clarify that the TMO ruling was a breach of the current rules governing the game."
New Zealand rugby body is just seeking admission from the World Cup organizers, and there is no chance that the results will be overturned.
Related article: Michigan Football Sign-Stealing Scandal: 5 Things You Need to Know
© Copyright 2024 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
