'I thought it was the right call': Aaron Mauger and Leon MacDonald respond to controversial Aaron Smith penalty call
Highlanders head coach Aaron Mauger has responded to claims that Aaron Smith’s controversial penalty in Sunday’s 32-21 defeat to the Blues as “the right call”.
It comes after widespread criticism on social media and in the commentary booth at Smith’s efforts to earn his side a penalty as he ran into Blues prop Karl Tu’inukuafe while on the ground in an offside position.
Referee Mike Fraser’s decision – upon consultation with the TMO – to award the Highlanders a penalty saved the home side seven points after Dalton Papalii had scored under the posts from an interception in the same passage of play.
That try was overturned, however, with Highlanders playmaker Josh Ioane going on to slot the ensuing penalty kick at goal to hand his side a 13-12 lead shortly before half-time.
Going by the letter of the law, it seems Fraser’s decision was the right call, as although Tu’inukuafe had done all he could to move out of the way, he was still caught in an offside position.
Many expressed their discontent at the call, though, with pundits on Twitter calling for common sense to come into play as they labelled the decision “disgraceful”, “pure grubbery” and “the kind of BS we fight so hard to keep out of rugby”.
Sky Sport commentator and former All Blacks prop Wyatt Crockett was among those outraged at the decision, and was quoted as saying: “Aaron’s basically pulling a Hollywood to milk his team a penalty, and that’s not in the spirit of our game”.
Speaking to media post-match, Mauger fended off Crockett’s assertion that Smith’s theatrics aren’t “in the spirit of our game”.
“He’s influenced the attack,” the former All Blacks five-eighth said of Tu’inukuafe being caught in Smith’s running line.
“We had them under the pressure at that time, so I thought it was the right call.”
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By contrast, Blues boss Leon MacDonald refrained from speaking out against the officials’ call, despite it going against his side’s fortunes.
“Yeah, well, I would have liked the try to be awarded, absolutely,” he said.
“Talking about those sort of moments in the game, refs always call them as they see them.
“We’ve moved on pretty quickly and we were able to regain the lead and hold it, so it didn’t become too big a deal in the end.”
MacDonald added that he thought Fraser and his assistant “did a great job out there”, noting how tough of a job it can be as a whistleblower.
Outmuscled by the Blues’ bruising forward pack, Mauger revealed the Highlanders’ game plan involved trying to use the ball quickly in an attempt to run their opponents’ big men off their feet.
Asked whether the offside call against Tu’inukuafe was a result of the home side’s high-tempo style of play, Mauger said: “We did have them under pressure and that’s where we were really looking to kick on, but they managed to slow us up when they needed to.
“We weren’t able to get into that flow when we wanted to.
“We were talking about overspeed and it just didn’t quite happen for us, but it was the breakdown we talked about before [the match], us being a little bit faster there.
“Their tactics at the breakdown [were] to try and slow us up, and I think you’ve got to give them a lot of credit.
“They did a good job tonight, they deserve their win.”
The result puts the Highlanders out of Super Rugby Aotearoa title contention heading into their final two matches of the campaign against the Crusaders and Hurricanes.
The Blues, meanwhile, will be reliant on the Highlanders upsetting the league-leading Crusaders in Christchurch this Sunday to set-up a do-or-die final round clash between the traditional rivals at Eden Park on August 16.
Comments on RugbyPass
Why do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
14 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
9 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
9 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
14 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
9 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
9 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
14 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
14 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
9 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
14 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
14 Go to comments