Brumbies hooker Stephen Moore was jeered off Suncorp Stadium after controversially escaping punishment for punching Ed Quirk in his side’s 23-20 win over Queensland.
The Reds are fuming after referee Steve Walsh denied them a 49th-minute try and failed to take action on Moore’s left-arm upper-cut on Quirk at a ruck on the goalline on Friday night.
Will Genia had dived over in the corner but the try was scratched as Walsh ruled Quirk illegally held Moore before the Wallabies rake lashed out.
Queensland coach Richard Graham was livid post-match and felt Moore should have been shown a yellow or red card for his punch.
While the citing commissioner was running his rule over the match, Graham indicated the Reds were keen to have the matter investigated.
Brumbies coach Laurie Fisher commended Walsh for his hard-line stance in clamping down on holding at the ruck, and felt Quirk had cost his side a try.
But Graham and Queensland skipper James Horwill whole-heartedly disagreed.
“I would see Stephen Moore as part of the breakdown and I think Ed Quirk is entitled to hold him,” Graham said.
Horwill said: “If it is a punch, the rules are the rules and you have to go to the rule book (and send him off)”.
Walsh’s decision enraged the 30,000-strong Brisbane crowd and a large group of fans heckled Moore on the sideline which prevented a post-match Foxsports panel interview.
The Brumbies withstood a second-half onslaught by Queensland’s transformed pack to put the Reds’ Super Rugby finals hopes on the brink.
It was the Reds’ third loss this season by three points and has them 11th – nine points behind the ACT side – and slipping out of play-off contention heading into next weekend’s bye.
In a topsy-turvy clash where the Brumbies dominated the first half before the Reds pack – boosted by the injection of 100-gamer Saia Fainga’a – turned the tables in the second.
The set-piece turnaround was highlighted by a remarkable pushover try to Quirk from a tight-head scrum win in the 63rd minute that sparked the Reds revival and set up a tense finish.
The Brumbies were far slicker, faster and smarter in the first half and went into the sheds at 20-10 but were kicking themselves the lead wasn’t 20-plus after regularly letting the listless Reds off the hook.
Queensland shot themselves in the foot from the outset with Quade Cooper gifting Scott Fardy the opening try after Robbie Coleman jolted the ball free.
The visitors were in control at 20-3 after half an hour when Nick White and Jesse Mogg – the two players the Reds targeted pre-match – created the second try to Joe Tomane.
Whitey
Guest
True, what do you tell kids - if someone grabs you, punch them, it is OK?
Trev from the bush
Guest
My question is, what do I tell my under 14 juniors? if someone holds you - just punch them ! unbelievable referee
Cadfael
Roar Guru
The Reds had two great chances but lost the ball over the try line. A side can't expect to win in this class of game by not taking the points when they are there. A possible 14 points and the game was won.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
The citing commissioner has said Moore has nothing to answer for.
handles
Guest
When Horne was cited a few weeks back, they helpfully provided the following: Nature of Offence: Law 10.4 (a) Punching or Striking. A player must not strike an opponent with the fist or arm, including the elbow,shoulder, head or knee(s). As Moore clearly offended under this Law, then it is clear that the citing commissioner has decided that the provocation was a mitigating factor. So after years of penalising retaliation, we now have a situation where a provoking act, and not one that involves foul play, can be used as an excuse for striking. I am shocked by this change in approach. Andrew Hore should appeal to get his record expunged, after getting 5 matches for this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIyfFF7TXYY
handles
Guest
Since when did the Herald Sun, repeating the story lines form Richard Graham's own press release, qualify as "Reds Fans"????? Not good 'nuff' at all, Tommo me old mate.
ignoramus
Guest
sounds like Moore gets off from the judiciary. inconsistent from the referees. I remember earlier on in the year there was an even worse offence involving fuglistaller at the rebels. He was being held onto in the scrum and he was trying to get away. he got yellow carded and a penalty was reversed. in Moore's case he didn't get red carded and the opposition team got a try disallowed! wtf!
Popeye
Guest
And how good was Quadey..........
Popeye
Guest
@ TembaVJ, that's not fair, they were also poor for years before that.
Shungmao
Guest
Laurie fisher saying justice is served , what a dumb comment from a great forwards coach. Rules are rules but in rugby they are applied like a lottery ticket. Personally I hope this is the new standard, a few short ones on the chin are what this game needs. Reds are fools that they didn't use the precedent to take the laws in there own hands, softness personified !
stillmatic1
Guest
thankfully this comment is coming from someone who is 81 years old and probably blind versus someone born in the year 1981 and with decent but red eyed sight...........
Ruckin' Oaf
Guest
Steve maybe he should consider his performance and how to improve it rather than retaliate to the crowd.
Ruckin' Oaf
Guest
I did notice that one of the factors in the reds turn around seemed to be moving Cooper to full-back in defence. His kick / kick return options were much, much better than Lucas
Ruckin' Oaf
Guest
IF Moore wasn't part of the ruck then he was ahead of the last feet rule and thus offside. If he's offside then he's not in a position to try and stop Genia.
Ruckin' Oaf
Guest
If he wasn't part of the ruck he was ahead of the last feet and therefore offside. Either way you look at it the Reds was robbed.
Combesy
Guest
Making the finals is poor is it? Guess Chieka's precious tahs are more than poor then
Tock
Guest
Yeah JezneZ thanks for that, sorry so late to respond but getting ready for daughters wedding next week in backyard. My experience with the closed bind was that it through my bum out which made me twist to bring it back in and consequently depowered me, if you get what I mean. However never having played at that higher level or coached at that level it may be that there is far more to it than I understand.
Pete
Guest
Very dangerous precedent set here. I dont mind getting beaten fairly like against the force but having a disallowed try and punch going uncited is criminal. One free hit per game is on. Not a good message. Even with the benefit of hindsight no suspension? Makes the judicial hearing look unprofessional. I thought they were lawyers and as lawyers they have to follow precedents. This was not done so all credibility is lost. A sad day for rugby.
Tock
Guest
Hello ZG I wasnt suggesting it was illegal but that I'm not sure its an advantage against a strong scrum. Slipper clearly dominated in the second half but against weakened Brumbies scrum. That is not going to happen at international level. I guess that is my concern I want to see the most powerful and competitive scrum we can manage and i'm not sure scrummaging in a certain way at provincial level and then having to change at international will assist the Wallaby cause. On the other side of the coin however a front rower has to develop a range of tactics that allow them to adapt to different situations. My concern is that Slipper demonstrate that he can hold a scrum up square and deliver quality stable ball, which I think he can. Between him Alexander Sio and Kepu I think the wallabies are getting close to having not just a competitive scrum but a dominant one.
Blake
Guest
ha