A bitter Stephen Larkham believes his Brumbies should be in the Super Rugby semi-finals, despite losing 15-9 to the Highlanders.
The coach questioned some of the refereeing decisions in the closing stages of a see-sawing quarter-final at GIO Stadium on Friday and felt his side deserved to walk away winners.
The ACT franchise were denied a try to replacement winger Lausii Taliauli in the 75th minute after both the on-field and television match officials ruled they could not see the ball being grounded.
If awarded, the Brumbies would’ve been just one point behind and could’ve taken the lead with a conversion.
“It was clearly a try for everyone who saw it,” Larkham said.
“It’s really disappointing that a game comes down to that. We should be in the semi-finals right now.
“I give credit where it’s due and I think the Highlanders played really good football but I thought we played better tonight and I think we deserve that win.”
Larkham was visibly frustrated and emotional, especially given it was the last game for a number of big-name players – including co-captain Stephen Moore, playmaker Matt Toomua and superstar flanker David Pocock.
Moore is heading back to the Queensland Reds next season, while Toomua is joining English outfit Leicester and Pocock is beginning a 12-month sabbatical.
Injured winger Joe Tomane, Michael Dowsett and Michael Wells are also leaving.
It marked the first time the Brumbies haven’t advanced past the opening week of the playoffs since 2012, when they missed the finals altogether.
It also leaves Australia without a title contender, given they were the only team to survive the regular season after finishing top of the local conference.
“It was one of the better games we’ve had this year. It was a see-sawing battle and the guys did everything right to win that game,” Larkham said.
“It’s incredibly frustrating now to know that we lost it that way.”
For the Highlanders it means a chance to win back-to-back titles.
The victory – secured with just two tries via winger Waisake Naholo and No.8 Liam Squire – broke a decade-long losing streak in the nation’s capital.
Coach Jamie Joseph and skipper Ben Smith said they both initially felt Taliauli’s effort was a try but were glad the call went their way.
“It was a real difficult game right from the start,” Joseph said.
“It was a real ding-dong arm wrestle but I’m really proud of the team in terms of how they finished the end.
“It could’ve gone either way really, but we’ve earned another week.”
Peter Hughes
Roar Rookie
@ Tinfoil See Paul Cully's article in SMH today for reasons but Brumbies did not deserve to win and did not win - so it's all a moot point
Tinfoil Hat
Guest
Be that as it may, the question remains, what is the objective basis, in your view, for awarding the try? What is the determinant of a try being "probable" if the ball cannot be seen to be grounded over the line?
Jerry
Guest
It is a grey area, however in this case there was no real question of the ball not being out. The problem in this case is that everyone is off their feet so the Brumbies player has no one to bind to, but he's not allowed to step through the ruck like he did. So he's really got no legal way of contesting the ball. But then that's something that happens reasonably often in ruck play - once a ref determines one side has won the battle, he calls hands off to the other side and there's often no way to legally contest for the defence.
soapit
Guest
this is the point where i say i havent actually seen the specific incident. just interested in the specifics of the rules. so happy to go with others assessments of this one obviously. i was thinking more in instance where everyone gets cleared out clear of the ball, then the ball is usually deemed to be out despite it not moving.
Jerry
Guest
Yeah, there is no clear definition of when a ball is clear of the ruck. Generally it seems to be when it's no longer surrounded by an part of a player bound to or caught up in the ruck. In this case it was sitting on/surrounded by a couple of player's legs and was clearly still in the ruck (which the Brumbie player obviously recognised, hence his use of the foot to play the ball).
Jerry
Guest
Falling over the ball is illegal, so if any one did that they'd be pinged. But a ruck where everyone falls over and the ball is still playable (as in this case) is still a ruck.
Akari
Roar Rookie
I tipped Saders too. The Landers should be on their way to Joburg this morning.
Lara
Guest
What is happening in Brumbieworld.......is it a soap opera. CEO saga, Coach losing the plot, the no try saga, captain leaving for the Reds, I can't wait for the next episode of Brumbieworld
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
The reason the crowd was booing the ref, or more precisely the touchie, is because of the forward pass that was missed on the run up to the first try. They booed Sopoaga at his first conversion attempt because of where he placed the ball, and the fact Gardiner looked at him, but didn't pull him up on it. The try was scored 1-1.5m in from touch, he took the kick from the 5m line.
Kane
Guest
I'm curious why you think the attacking team should be given the benefit of the doubt?
Tinfoil Hat
Guest
I thought Joubs and Jaco were excellent in the two games in SA.
soapit
Guest
I thought it made a difference whether they fell over on top of the ball or not.
soapit
Guest
yes but when does the ball leave the ruck? I thought when it moved beyond the last player on his feet the ball is out. if theres no one on their feet is the ball not no longer in a ruck? quick check and I cant find a law clarifying when the ball has 'left' exactly
Jerry
Guest
Yeah, remember when Graeme Henry and McCaw moaned about it in the press conference? Oh wait, they didn't mention it.
Tinfoil Hat
Guest
How about actually addressing the issues raised in West's post rather than snide comments about his quality as a rugby player? Or are empty, meaningless insults all you have left to make yourself feel better?
Tinfoil Hat
Guest
Surely you are used to this by now BB? In the Oz rugby universe, no one is allowed to question the ref after they win, eg Scotland in the last RWC. After they lose, eg this game and the england series, the ref always gets targeted as the reason for the loss. I suppose one cannot fault them for consistency.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yes...scored 42, and won it...
Whakaata
Guest
Wait..what..there were people at this game?
Whakaata
Guest
The Highlanders weren't just the better team on friday they were the better team all season, only the crazy conference format gave a underachieving conference winner homeground advantage that kept them in this game.
concerned supporter
Guest
Kiwis have been whingeing for 30 years.Remember the underarm incident? Trevor Chappell, they still talk about it. The Brumbies have only themselves to blame.Their strong point was their line out- rolling maul.After 7 steals they discarded it at the finish near the Highlanders line. Is Moore a good line out thrower? Is Moore a good captain?