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On Saturday night the Wallabies suffered their first loss in the Deans era – and a most comprehensive one at that.
Stirling Mortlock referred to it as a role reversal from the previous week – and he was right. The Wallabies surrendered their breakdown dominance, their lineout dominance and their enthusiasm to an All Blacks team who was determined not to make history with a third straight tri-nations loss.
Without doubt, the Wallabies have no-one to blame for their loss but themselves. However, their cause was certainly not helped by some very poor refereeing.
Perhaps the touch judges were so eager to take up the new title of ‘assistant referee’ that they forgot that, first and foremost, their job is to know the touch line laws! Here, direct from the rule book is law 19:
“The ball is in touch if a player catches the ball and that player has a foot on the touchline or the ground beyond the touchline.” And, then to further clarify what happens next: “the throw in is taken by an opponent of the player who last held or touched the ball before it went into touch.”
Therefore, when Adam Ashley-cooper picked up the ball with one foot in the touch-line in the 19th minute then clearly according to the laws it was an Australian throw in. Sadly the poor assistant ref had no idea what to do and stood with his flag up, but making no indication as to the side that should throw in. In the end, the ball ended up in an All Black’s hand and the resultant line-out led directly to a Woodcock try and the opening of the flood gates!
Once again, I wish to re-iterate, it was clear that the Wallabies were never going to win this game. But this was a huge blunder in a marquee international game.
You want to claim your new title as ‘assistant ref’? All well and good. But the place to start – surely – is by knowing your rule book.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.