World Rugby may alter ANOTHER law after ‘clearly wrong’ decision in Super Rugby Pacific clash
Lalakai Foketi having a try disallowed during the Waratahs' Super Rugby Pacific triumph over the Chiefs.
Super Rugby Pacific chiefs are considering contacting World Rugby about amending a law after a Waratahs try was controversially disallowed at the weekend.
During the Sydney outfit’s impressive 21-14 victory over the Chiefs, centre Lalakai Foketi appeared to have scored when he brilliantly touched down in the right-hand corner.
It was referred to the television match official and, after much deliberation, the effort was disallowed due to it being ‘simultaneously grounded’.
What ‘simultaneously grounded’ means
That means part of the ball was deemed to have been out of bounds when Foketi placed it on the ground.
There was criticism from many observers, however, who claimed that the officials were incorrect in how they applied the law.
“James Leckie, I think he is the best TMO pretty much in the world, I think he is excellent .. but someone tell me how it [can be] simultaneous when the ball is round,” former Wallabies centre Morgan Turinui said on Stan Sport commentary.
“It is impossible for that ball to have not touched grass before it touches white paint. They’ve got that clearly wrong.”
The Waratahs were 14-0 in front at the time and would have moved 19-0 ahead with a conversion to come, but that call gave the Chiefs a route back into the game.
It is a decision that Super Rugby Pacific officials have defended, telling the Sydney Morning Herald that it was correctly disallowed.
“Super Rugby Pacific management has reviewed the TMO decision to overturn a try initially awarded to Lalakai Foketi in the 28th minute of Friday’s game between the NSW Waratahs and the Chiefs,” a statement read.
“The review process considered all available video evidence and concluded the TMO decision to overturn the try on the basis of ‘simultaneous grounding’ (Law 21.4) was correct.”
Law tweak?
There has been an intriguing twist, however, with the Herald reporting that Super Rugby may ask World Rugby to amend that ‘simultaneous grounding’ law so that it rewards the attacking team.
Fortunately for Dan McKellar’s men, it did not cost them too much as they would hold on for a crucial win, which moved them up to fifth in the table and significantly boosted their Super Rugby play-off hopes.
Head honcho McKellar was absolutely delighted in the aftermath of the encounter as they held off the side that went into the weekend as the league leaders.
“You can’t beat the Chiefs and be relieved – just really, really proud,” he said.
“We challenged each other this week, and the boys bounced back incredibly well. They turned up with a whole lot of belief.”
McKellar added: “Defence is the most important thing in the building.
“If we want to be a team that’s prepared to fight and work hard for each other time after time after time, you’ll get reward off the back of it — and we got that.
“At half-time, I just said, ‘What does it mean to you?’ If it means something, then you genuinely go that extra yard and show that bit more care, and we did that.”
