Crotty try deemed legal by SANZAAR

Editor

SANZAAR has decided after a review that New Zealand centre Ryan Crotty’s try against South Africa on Saturday was legitimate.

Crotty’s try caused controversy in South Africa as the All Blacks won 25-24 in Cape Town. Many believed he had knocked on or failed to ground properly after pouncing on a loose ball behind the line.

Following a lengthy TMO session, the try was awarded.

SANZAAR referees’ boss Lyndon Bray says the TMO made the correct decision.

“Crotty was not carrying the ball so there was no loss of control or knock-on at that point,” he told SuperSport.

”Therefore the next issue to consider is if he propelled the ball forward trying to ground it.

”When he first made contact with ball, the ball was not at first in contact with the ground, and it appears the ball movement was straight down and not forward.

“If it was determined he had insufficient downward pressure it was still not a knock on. Then his momentum meant his upper body forced the ball and under law this is a try.”

Further controversy was caused when South Africa centre Damian de Allende was red carded after a late tackle on fly-half Lima Sopoaga.

SANZAAR’s disciplinary panel said a yellow card would have been deemed the correct decision and De Allende escaped with a warning.