'Jordie could go up to his captain in Ardie Savea and say, 'mate, that was over, can you challenge it?'
Saturday’s blockbuster Super Rugby Aotearoa clash between the Hurricanes and the Blues didn’t disappoint, with both teams well and truly alive in the contest until the dying stages.
But that doesn’t mean that the match wasn’t without controversy – but what rugby game is?
Hurricanes hooker Asafo Aumua scored his second of the night in the 63rd minute, a score which brought his side to within a converted try of the lead.
But trailing 16-21, and with a conversion attempt to come from wide left, every point was going to matter heading into the business end of the match.
Fullback Jordie Barrett stepped up for the conversion, but it was always going to be close.
Straight off the tee, the kick always looked to be heading directly for the right upright. But the ball did appear to curl back at just the right time, and sneak inside for what would’ve been a crucial two-points.
But both touch judges, who were standing under the posts, would disagree with that statement as they didn’t raise their flags to indicate the score. Barrett looked visibly confused by the decision, jumping up and the air after realising the decision that the referees had made.
Speaking on this weeks episode of the Aotearoa Rugby Pod, both James Parsons and Bryn Hall shared players perspectives on the incident.
Former Blues captain Parsons, joked about his potential bias as he shared why he thought the kick should not have counted.
“I think Bryn is probably best to answer this because everybody is going to think I’m biased obviously because it was at a crucial time, [it would’ve been] 21-18, does change things up a little bit,” Parsons said on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod. “I know the score does blow out to 31-16 and doesn’t read as tight as it was.
“But that was the 67-minute mark, or 66-minute mark, and it does change the tactical thinking and the momentum feeling, and the tension of the game at 21-18 to 21-16.”
Parson’s also put forward a solution to similar kicking related controversies, as he suggested why it potentially should’ve been used in this instance.
“It was clearly outlined at the start where you could challenge and this might be part of making adjustments to make the challenge, because there’s certainly time in that period.
The Blues bench was arguably the difference on Saturday night, with Tom Robinson particularly impressive with his limited minutes.#SuperRugbyAotearoa https://t.co/sbLHXxaP28
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 2, 2021
“With a conversion, Jordie could go up to his captain in Ardie [Savea] and say, ‘mate, that was over, can you challenge it?’ There’s enough time to have a challenge in this instance.
“To me it looked like it went right over the post. Whatever the rule is there, for my understanding if it goes over the post it isn’t a goal.”
Crusaders scrumhalf Bryn Hall echoed the former All Black hooker’s comments regarding the review system, suggesting that it’s something that should be looked into.
“I know there’s guidelines of how it all works, but you think about how when a try is scored they can go back at any part of that sequence and look if there’s anything wrong,” Hall said on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod.
“I don’t see why it shouldn’t be any different for a penalty goal, where you can’t actually have a look – it only takes 30-seconds to a minute and it’s a pretty big decision in the context of a game.
Crusaders halfback Bryn Hall has issued his side with a warning ahead of their clash with the Hurricanes in Christchurch on Sunday. #SuperRugbyAotearoa https://t.co/F9Wqd5iE0F
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 2, 2021
“Imagine if that’s a 19-all draw to win a game, and you don’t go upstairs, you don’t have a look at it with something like that.”
Referee Ben O’Keefe commented on the controversial decision on The Breakdown on Monday. Much like what Parsons said, O’Keefe was clearly in support of the decision that had been made on the night.
“If it goes directly over the post, which it did in this situation, then it’s a no conversion,” the referee said.
“We weren’t helped by the camera angles that came through after the game.”
The Jordie Barrett conversion attempt was one of a couple of controversial moments after round one of the new season, which included Joe Moody hitting Highlanders lock Jack Regan with an open-palm.
Round two of Super Rugby Aotearoa kicks off on Friday night, with the Chiefs set to play their first match of the season against the Highlanders in Hamilton.
The Crusaders will then be looking to make it two from two in 2021 when they face the Hurricanes in Christchurch this weekend. While it has proven to be a tough place for any Super Rugby team to win over the last few years, the Hurricanes did record an upset 34-32 win there last year.
Listen to the latest episode of the Aotearoa Rugby Pod below or find it on your preferred streaming service.
Comments on RugbyPass
Four Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
15 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
1 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to commentsConnaught man? How you can write that without blushing.
6 Go to comments