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
I hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
1 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
25 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
6 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to comments