Ref Watch: The hand of Beauden Barrett
While New Zealand eventually beat heavily-weakened Wales by a near record-breaking margin, Wayne Pivac’s team stayed in the contest for around an hour.
During this time two decisions by referee Mathieu Raynal came under close scrutiny with plenty of Welsh fans joining respected former players Michael Lynagh and Brian Moore in questioning the calls.
RugbyPass refereeing and laws expert Paul Smith has taken a closer look at the two incidents.
Beauden Barrett deliberate knock-on
What happened?
Early in the match Wales countered from deep and released Owen Lane down their right wing.
He made 30 metres to the halfway line before looking to offload to Johnny Williams on his inside shoulder.
New Zealand’s fly-half anticipated the pass and lunged at it with his right hand, knocking the ball forwards to the ground.
After consulting his touch judge and TMO Brian MacNeice Raynal awarded a penalty to Wales but took no further action.
How Wayne Pivac saw it
Wales head coach first responded to the suggestion that the outcome would have been different had the offence been committed by anyone other than the All Blacks.
“I don’t know if you can say that,” he said.
Moving to the decision he added: “But certainly (since) the Barrett knock-on stopped the overlap we’d expect a penalty and yellow card if that was one of our players.”
Paul Smith’s Analysis
The first thing to clarify – based on some social media reaction – is that a one-handed knock-on is not automatically considered deliberate. That said, the use of one hand does sway the decision towards a penalty rather than a scrum since it is clearly easier to catch the ball using both hands.
To award a penalty the referee has to consider if the offending player has “a realistic chance” of regathering the ball before it hits the ground or another player. In this instance, given the distance the ball travelled away from him, Barrett clearly deserved to be penalised.
Moving to the question of a yellow card award, it is again worth clarifying that there is no directive stating that a deliberate knock-on automatically results in a sin bin.
When considering this option, as with any other technical offence, the officials must next decide whether the offence is cynical and if it stops a dynamic phase of play and reduces attacking options. Where the offence takes place is also relevant – a card is more likely in the defensive 22 than in midfield since a lot less has to subsequently occur for points to result from the illegally-ended move.
The All Blacks head coach shared why Barrett is able to pull in so many intercepts. #WALvNZL #AllBlacks https://t.co/RXPMZo544Q
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 31, 2021
This knock-on took place 50 metres from the All Blacks’ try-line. Having watched multiple replays it is apparent that another defender was only a few metres behind Barrett which removes any possibility of a penalty try award.
However, New Zealand’s no.10 had no chance of recovering the ball before it hit the ground and his action did end a dynamic attack which could have further developed against broken-field defence.
On balance Barrett can therefore be considered fortunate not to have seen yellow – although it is not 100 per cent clear cut.
Nepo Laulala yellow card
What happened?
Shortly before half-time Ross Moriarty carried into contact and anticipating the arrival of tacklers Laulala and Ethan Blackadder he stooped forwards from the waist which meant he led with his head.
Blackadder bent to make the first hit but was unable to get below Moriarty’s upper body and as a result clipped the right side of his head.
Laulala nailing the prop in the sin bin look ? #AutumnNationsSeries pic.twitter.com/UK4zOWviGm
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 30, 2021
This bounced the Welsh flanker slightly towards Laulala who immediately attempted a second tackle – also from a slightly bent position – but again not low enough to avoid a much more significant contact with the left side of Moriarty’s head.
Neither New Zealand player attempted to wrap their arms until significantly after the contact.
Moriarty was forced to leave the field as a result of the collision.
Raynal’s attention was drawn to the incident by his fellow officials and after review he showed a yellow card to Laulala for a “no-arms tackle.”
Paul Smith’s Analysis
World Rugby’s process for making head contact decisions requires the officials to consider if there is contact, how significant it is then whether any mitigating factors exist.
In dealing with Laulala, Raynal and Macneice followed this protocol to the letter.
The head contact was substantial, but given that Moriarty arrived at the contact point with his head just above waist level it was clearly difficult for the Kiwi prop to get low enough to make a legal tackle.
The Welsh flanker’s head was also some distance ahead of his legs and lower body and a split second prior to Laulala making contact his running line was slightly shifted by the contact with Blackadder.
A yellow card is therefore entirely justified.
The question of whether Blackadder should also have been carded for failing to use his arms in the tackle is an interesting one.
The level of force appeared less significant, which combined with the height issue and head-lead situation provided Raynal with enough mitigation to downgrade the offence to just a penalty.
Had Blackadder’s tackle not been immediately followed by a more damaging illegal contact he may have faced closer scrutiny – but based on this mitigation the outcome may well have been the same.
Comments on RugbyPass
He is 100 % on the mark. Malicious arrogance with a lack of respect for the other teams mostly the south. they must learn from True rugby nations like the Boks and Kiwis
114 Go to commentsThis Outiniqua boy has played sublime rugby and deserves a spot in BI LIONS team. Well played son
4 Go to commentsI don’t like to see players miss big matches but this ban looks to be tailored to allow him to compete in the final. In principle a suspension for a very dangerous tackle in a semi should warrant missing the relevant final. Done now. One the flip side having both teams with very strong squads/teams available for the final will add to the occassion hopefully.
1 Go to commentsTalent to burn and a huge engine..hope he gets a shot at higher honours
2 Go to commentsIf anything like his dad he has a bright future, Soane was the best ball carrying props ive ever seen using a combination of pace power and footwork.
1 Go to commentsThose who saw Sharks vs Clermont and Ox N'Che vs Rabah Slimani should have a good idea of the best scrumagers… May be not the best props…
2 Go to commentsIt's been an unusual era of unpopular, highly competitive, domineering, fairly big fly halves in the home nations with Farrell, Sexton and Biggar. Russell is different in personality and player I think. I'd rank Sexton first of the three because he is just as good a game controller but also has a great passing game. And his competitiveness never seems to cause problems with refs.
31 Go to commentsThank goodness he wasn't born in Scotland, he'd have been a great candidate for the Scottish Barbarians. I wouldn't put it past them to push for a “where the player was conceived” rule 😂
2 Go to commentsOwen Farrell is one of the most polarising figures in the game. His entire attitude on the field (and sometimes off of it) smacks of arrogance and he is about as brash as Donald Trump in a political debate. Yet behind that facade is a calculating, determined and powerful leader who drives any team forward with an Iron will. You are right in that he gets better in the heat of battle and in the face of overwhelming odds. He develops a narrow focus and he delivers his best in a way that few others can. He is one of Englands great performers who sacrificed alot for the team and who often bears the weight of responsibility of leadership alone on the field and in front of the media. Despite what many think of him he is a fantastic game manager with a good rugby brain. He will be sorely missed from the international stage
31 Go to commentsAlways proud of the effort, Sam. The All blacks never stop fighting, never just roll over. He didn’t get anywhere near the respect he earned, but that’s due to results, not commitment to the cause. Have fun dominating in Japan!
1 Go to commentsNot sure why Papali’i thinks Scott Robertson needs his help to select the next All Black Captain. In my view, Papali’i would be well advised to have a good hard look at his own game, and to reflect on how fortunate he is to even wear the black jersey. Rather than shouting at his team mates at every set piece, standing in the mid-field pointing and holding his arms out and flopping to the ground at the back of every second or third ruck, may I suggest he would be far better employed actually doing something on the field. Seriously, watch him for 10 minutes during a game - not much happens. When was the last time he was first to a breakdown, or actually made a turnover? If Robertson is half the Coach I think he is, Papali’i will not be anywhere near the AB’s this season.
11 Go to commentsHiding coming up for Saders.
1 Go to commentsDagg really does go down some rabbit holes doesnt he? In the name I guess.
6 Go to commentsHey Brett I’m one who is looking forward to seeing JS back on the rugby field. I was under the impression that a large portion of his contract was via a third party so RA isn’t having to foot the bill My big concern is around the Tahs and what is happening there, why are so many players bailing. Is it the program, the coaches or the culture. Joe Schmidt recently said he had been at the Tahs all week and DC is a good coach. Something doesn’t gel , 10 front row forwards in a season that’s not bad luck
16 Go to commentsIncorrect title. He hasn’t said Furlong is one of the best scrummagers. He said he is one of the best props.
2 Go to comments“_It seems like a crazy thing that he was counting them_“ Are you stupid, mate? Anyone with more than half a brain understands that he meant “a lot” or something similar. Do you really think he was counting? “*Goode*: Told you, Jim!“ No, you banana. You said, explicitly, that the Irish players didn’t say what EE said they did. Even though you weren’t there. Even though you didn’t hear a word they said. M0r0n.
114 Go to commentsI am sure that Scott Robertson did do the courtesy of telling Sam Cane that he was not in his All Black plans and NZR would support him if he wished to sign a lucrative pension playing out his career in the cream puff rugby that is Japan’s Top League. I fail to see this as a negative as Israel Dagg is trying to spin it. Razor allowed Cane to leave with dignity rather than being unceremoniously dumped as was Buck Shelford.
6 Go to commentsHey rugbypass can I also get involved with writing rugby articles?
1 Go to commentsHey rugbypass can I also get involved with writing rugby articles?
1 Go to commentsAT THE END OF THE DAY THE TEAM WITH 4 WORLD CUPS WILL ALWAYS GET TO TELL THE OTHER NATION TO SUCK MY BALLS. THIS IS A SCIENTIFIC AND IRREFUTABLE FACT.
114 Go to comments