'Gutless': Brumbies 'robbed' of chance to win by non-call in final moments of semi-final

After the Blues built a 20-7 halftime lead it looked like the home side would canter into their first full Super Rugby final since 2003, only for a spirited comeback by the Brumbies to close the gap to just one point.

In the frantic final moments as the Blues tried to wind down the clock, an erratic pass left lock Luke Romano to clean up the scraps in the backfield. After being tackled and isolated with the Brumbies competing ferociously for the ball, ref Ben O’Keeffe let play go on.

Brumbies flanker Luke Reimer was first over the ball and looked to have secured a holding on penalty that would have given the Brumbies the chance to kick the game-winning penalty from 38-metres out, directly in front.

What went wrong for the Hurricanes and Highlanders

What went wrong for the Hurricanes and Highlanders

As it was the Blues lost the ball to the Brumbies, who played a few phases before flyhalf Noah Lolesio attempted a long range drop goal that got charged down by prop Ofa Tuungafasi, forcing the visitors back into their own half and out of range.

O’Keeffe’s call was labelled ‘gutless’ by fans on both sides of the ditch as even Kiwi’s agreed it was a clear holding on penalty to the Brumbies. One fan described it as a ‘stone cold penalty’ while another said it was ‘atrocious’ that the call was not given.

The fact that this wasn’t a penalty is BS… O’Keefe’s explanation to the Brumbies was that his hands were past the ball?? I’ve never seen a more textbook turnover! #BLUvBRU pic.twitter.com/8Xc0UpDWDn

— Brendon Trass (@brendontrass) June 11, 2022

Gutless not to blow a penalty at that ruck. Blues clearly holding on. #BLUvBRU

— Michael Cole 🇦🇺🐨🏉 (@michaelcole87) June 11, 2022

Imagine if Chekia was the Brums coach with that Reimer call. There'd be blood in the coach's box. He's so relaxed on Stan these days! #BLUvBRU

— Huw Tindall (@HuwTindall) June 11, 2022

As clear and obvious as you get. Feel for the Brumbies. #BLUvBRU pic.twitter.com/xF9Xj9E2GA

— Hamish Birt (@hamebirt) June 11, 2022

Outstanding crack from the Brums. Reimer hard done by at the death. Looked a stone-cold penalty for holding on. Blues fall over the line. #BLUvBRU

— Sam Bruce (@Sambruce86) June 11, 2022

SANZAAR really need to have a good look at the refereeing decision making this season because it certainly feels that NZ teams have been given rub of the green when refereed by NZ refs. #BLUvBRU

— original_gruzza (@gruzza) June 11, 2022

Seriously, how do we fix the issue of refereeing in Super Rugby?

It just feels so incredibly lop sided when Kiwis ref Kiwis. But what's the solution? If nothing else, how do we create at least the perception of partiality?#BLUvBRU

— CarrickTalksRugby (@TalksRugby) June 11, 2022

Robbed. Riemer not given that penalty is atrocious.

Outrageous. #bluvbru

— Ben Kimber (@benkimber) June 11, 2022

Blues supporter, but how did the Brumbies not get awarded a penalty prior to that drop goal attempt? Did O'Keefe choke on his whistle? #BLUvBRU

— Mitchell Smith (@MitchSmith00) June 11, 2022

How was Reimer not awarded a penalty??!?!?!?!#BLUvBRU

— CarrickTalksRugby (@TalksRugby) June 11, 2022

That was holding on penalty all day and Ben O’keefe let it slide😬 #BLUvBRU

— Olyvar (@OlivierStreet) June 11, 2022

Speaking to media after the match, the Brumbies were puzzled at the call and would be taking a second look at it on review. Coach Dan McKellar strongly implied he believed a penalty should have been given.

“There were a couple of decisions there that will be interesting to review,” Dan McKellar said.

“Luke Reimer appeared to be well and truly on the ball directly in front of the posts. Did you guys see that?

“I saw Luke Reimer on the ball, surviving clean out directly in front of the posts.

“When you’re playing at Eden Park and an Australian team hasn’t won here forever and a day, you need a bit of luck, don’t you? And we just didn’t get that tonight.”