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Highlanders told by referees that Pita Gus Sowakula's try was illegal

(Photo by Michael Bradley/Getty Images)

It may have caught global attention in the opening round of Super Rugby Pacific, but Pita Gus Sowakula’s spectacular try for the Chiefs against the Highlanders last weekend should not have stood.

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That’s the verdict reached by New Zealand Rugby’s [NZR’s] referees, who have informed Highlanders head coach Tony Brown that the try was an illegal act that should have been classified as dangerous play.

Brown confirmed on Wednesday that the try, which saw Sowakula hurdle Highlanders halfback Aaron Smith to score in the left-hand corner, was now deemed by NZR as illegal after confusion reigned over whether the try should have been awarded.

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Earlier this week, NZR’s refereeing team conceded it was unsure of the legality of Sowakula’s actions, and had even sought clarification from World Rugby about the ruling, which resulted in the verdict that a penalty should have instead been called.

“I’ve had an email from the referees, who are saying that is now illegal. Dangerous play, I think, is the ruling, even though it’s not in the law, but it’s deemed as being dangerous now,” Brown told media.

Sowakula’s try was an admirable feat of athleticism from the Fijian No 8, of which is rarely seen in rugby union and more common in American football.

The leap left Smith, the Highlanders captain, grasping at thin air in an attempt to stop Sowakula, and that, Brown joked, was what frustrated him more than the incorrect ruling made by the officials.

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“No, no,” he said when asked if he was disappointed by the on-field ruling. “I’m more disappointed in Aaron Smith, really, so I’m not worried about what happened on the weekend. I’ll just make sure Aaron does his job.”

On Tuesday, former World Rugby referee Nigel Owens weighed in on the matter, posting on Twitter that Sowakula’s actions were “not defendable” as no defender can make a tackle on a player in the air, unless that player is in the act of scoring.

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PoppaRick 2 hours ago
The Chiefs are better than the Crusaders

It annoys when sport “Professionals “ make statements like that . The Best Team, plays their Best game in the final. The start of the Season is pure entertainment for the Fans and training for the Teams. The last 2 years in a row the Chiefs timed their run wrong and “Choked “. Not a word used when speaking about the Crusaders, EVER!!

Hamish Bidwell should put something behind his arrogant statement. He’s playing the weatherman game, he knows, if he gets it wrong, meh!

But he takes kudos for getting a 50/50 right.

Remember game #1.

Rob Penny took his front row off including Tamaiti Williams who was demolishing the Chiefs scrum and causing havoc all over the field. The Saders lost the second half and the game, meh? Yes meh! We lost Tamaiti first game last season a loss we didn’t recover from when added to Jordan, Scooter, Backadder , etc. Yet they beat The Blues in the last Round game. Oh that’s right the Chiefs ( qualified first ) then lost to the Blues, at home! With 🐄🔔S.

The Crusaders as a whole, from top down, know the season is decided at the end.

Not a team I would write off so easily.

As for the Cow Bells. If I had Chiefs supporters coming over to watch the game at mine. I would ask them to leave the bells at home, purely because they are so bloody annoying. My house my rules. Next year don’t lose in the “Finals” (joke), get the home final and tell the Crusaders to leave the horses at home (🤣🤣🤣).

I can’t wait the game will be awesome for so many reasons.

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