We all saw it. We all witnessed it. We were all there, whether at ground or in front of our TVs, to witness it. We all went wow.
We all knew it was the very end of the game. We all then said ‘WTF?’
I’m obviously talking here about that moment in time, those last few seconds of time, where a certain person in the middle blew the pea in their whistle and in that resulting action caused the world to stop.
Momentarily stop. It was, of course, the first game of the 2022 Bledisloe Cup being fought out in front of a full house, under the cover of roof, at another marvellous stadium in Melbourne.
The city of Melbourne, a city that lays claim to being the sport’s capital of the world, Melbourne. And for the previous last 79 minutes or so that claim felt in no need of counter claim.
This indeed was a world-class sporting spectacle. A contest for the ages. But what went wrong?
Just what happened to suddenly, in the blink of an eye, to change all that? Give cause to change all that? Did the stadium collapse? No. Did the sky fall in and bring the roof down? No. Did a sniper go nuts shooting from the upper levels of the stadium? No. Thankfully, no!
No, what happened was the referee, that person in the middle officiating the game, decide to blow their whistle, and in turn decide the ever likely result of the game. A result now turned on it’s head. It was just like they’d snapped their fingers and click everything changed. Changed for the worst. Probably changed for the worst.
Now, I’ve been watching Test match rugby for longer than most here on The Roar have probably been alive, and I’ve never seen anything like this before. Nor do I wish to ever see it again.
No-one, regardless of which sport that follow, wants a referee to basically determine the outcome of any game. Let the players who actually are playing the game do that. Decide that. After all that’s what they’re for to do and we, the supporters, want them to do. Battle it out to find the victor.
Thus, what should have happened?
Well, for mine the referee should’ve just let Foley kick the ball out. And there’s been plenty of times in the game of rugby where the exact same scenario has played out. Kick the ball out. Time is up on the clock. Play the line out. Hopefully win the line out. Kick the ball into rows XYZ, seat 10, 11, 12. Win the game. Yeah baby!
Referee Mathieu Raynal speaks to Nic White and Bernard Foley (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
I don’t care whether the law was correctly applied and carried out here by the referee because for the last 50 something years or so, in the same situation, this is how the game ends. It’s an unwritten law ffs!
Further, what really gets my goat is that this match, such as was witnessed prior to the ‘incident’ was a truely classic match worthy of a Bled Cup game, a game/series steeped with much history, a game where the ABs have had that bloody Bled Cup for 20 odd years, and a game that produced some magic rugby moments to treasure forever. But it didn’t happen.
No, this game will be now remembered for all the wrong reasons. And that’s just plain wrong. Sadly wrong.
Anyhow, well done to the All Blacks on your victory, as in the wash-up it was still there very much for the taking… just wished the referee hadn’t sorta, well, like gifted you the win.
Oh, and see ewes at Eden Park next weekend to continue this great rivalry, and in doing so take the referee out of deciding the game. Leave that to the two of us. Please.
Digby
Roar Guru
Sorry I missed this mate, good stuff. Hoping for a little more drama of the non official kind this Saturday. :thumbup: Regards, Digby from Shield Country
cookie
Roar Guru
I'm not convinced its the refs that are the problem. League is a very very simple game that can filmed up close ... essentially its mainly players hitting it up and getting tackled. There is little variance. The ball is never really contestable and to compare it to checkers is too kind. I would rather watch paint dry. I played a lot of waterpolo and its great play and watch in person but for whatever reason it doesn't show well on screen. Rugby does show well on screen... it just takes a little knowledge to see and appreciate whats happening at the set piece.
Andrew
Guest
So results should go one way because of rankings? Are you bloody serious ????????
Andrew
Guest
Nah leave it, so hopefully the kiwis lose a World Cup like this. Then we see if they like the idea. The rule say you must take immediately. So one look around at teammates and it should be penalised. Got to stick to the rules
Andrew
Guest
The referee literally invited himself to get involved. No one else did. Well maybe the kiwis
Andrew
Guest
Of course the ball is in play more in league. The average union international, the ball is in play less then one half of football. Union sucks to watch. Great to play. The refs are why it’s sucks to watch
Andrew
Guest
Do you know the rules? If refs followed every rule in rugby the penalty count would be 59-50. Use Some bloody common sense. The ball is in play for less then 40 minutes in an 80 Minute game, but he choose to get his knickers in a twist over an extra 2 seconds that it would of taken foley to kick. Anyone that thinks it was the right decision is even a partisan idiot or doesn’t have a clue about the game of rugby
Andrew
Guest
Of course he was wrong. If the ref stuck to every single law then the penalty count would hd 50-50. The ball is in play for less then one half I a game of rugby, but he choose to get his knickers in a twist over the 1-2 seconds extra it would of taken foley to kick it
Andrew
Guest
Why do sensitive about the word ewe? It’s just a word. Like rugby is just a game ????♂️
Andrew
Guest
Exactly. He was I the motion of kicking. One more second then ref had to wait
Andrew
Guest
Of course he wouldn’t ????????
BlouBul
Roar Rookie
Cookie, a South African ref did that in one game and the game run for nearly 35 minutes longer. The broadcasters went ballistic because it run into their next slot. He got told to never do that again.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yeh RT, Eden Park, & a double header as well, being the curtain raiser will have our Wahine toa on display. No doubt the Professor will have a few combinations to show, especially with some Wahine coming in, after the the Seven's WRWC being finalised. Should be a good day, & possibly a far better one, than what the, so called Australian sports capital of the world put on!!
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Don't use them Chook!! Lol :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Your dreaming, if you actually think we will get anywhere near the final, under what is coaching us!!!
AndyS
Guest
Well, certainly makes things interesting next time the kicker elects to go for the posts. Would seem 40 seconds is the new benchmark for "A penalty must be taken without delay."
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Have you been nominated, to the Roar site policeman, Reframe??? Well it's just that I'm in belief of what Chook has written!!! Ffs!!
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
At least Rassie has won a RWC!!
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Well 'witten' Chook, & yes I do agree, as we dam near saw the same sort of scenario again, in Buenos Aires this morning, regarding bad decisions. Bro, IMO, it's the fault of WR, not doing their jobs properly, in throwing half hearted laws out there for their ' fall guys' to cop the crap, on. I myself, thought the Wallabies deserved to win, & for that fool of a head coach, of ours to come out with the utter garbage, he come out, does further reinforce , as to why the gutless fool, needs to man up, & resign. Ffs, he was sweating like a stuck pig, in the coaches box, every time the cameras, turned on him, so no doubt, even then, he was thinking more on retaining his position. So onto the ' garden of Eden, & I still think you lot are in with a very good show, at the so called fortress!! If so, it'll be the Bokke, that'll take out the RC.
Sandra Leong
Guest
Would you have the same opinion if that had happened to the All Black side Come on