'Ridiculous call' - Unprecedented Mathieu Raynal decision fires debate

‘Ridiculous call’: That’s how Australian TV commentators Andrew Mehrtens and Tim Horan on Stan Sport described Mathieu Raynal’s late time-wasting call that gave the All Blacks‘ the opportunity to strike back in the final play of the game.

With the Wallabies leading 37-34 after a dramatic second-half comeback, Raynal penalised Wallabies’ flyhalf Bernard Foley for time-wasting in the 79th minute when about to clear the Wallabies lines. What looked like a famous Bledisloe win for the Aussies was then dashed two minutes later with Jordie Barrett eventually crossing the line after the buzzer to clinch victory from the jaws of defeat.

Foley could be heard claiming it wasn’t time-wasting because the clock had been stopped before Raynal explained to skipper Nic White that he had told Foley that he was going to say ‘time back on’ and that Foley had to kick the ball with no delay.

Replays showed Foley turned and said something to his forwards briefly before kicking the ball – nine seconds – after Raynal had called ‘Time on’, but it was enough for the Frenchman to penalise and hand possession straight back to the grateful All Blacks.

Très bizarre. Très madness. Rugby is the winner. If you’re not Australian. They must be absolutely fuming.

pic.twitter.com/cZN3520wyU

— Jim Hamilton (Vice Captain) (@jimhamilton4) September 15, 2022

The decision split social media, although the majority felt the unprecedented decision was totally uncalled for.

Nine News broadcaster and sports reporter Michael Atkinson wrote: “Thank you Morgan Turinui and Tim Horan for voicing the thoughts of so many rugby fans, absolutely teeing off on that final call. Law book, whatever, that decision should never dictate a result in that moment in any match.”

Thank you @MorganTurinui and @TimHoran12 for voicing the thoughts of so many rugby fans, absolutely teeing off on that final call.
Law book, whatever, that decision should never dictate a result in that moment in any match. #AUSvNZL #BledisloeCup @StanSportAU

— Michael Atkinson (@kinson88) September 15, 2022

Irish Independent journalist Rúaidhrí O’Connor: “If this is the beginning of a war on time-wasting then bring it on. If its a once off, out of the blue, never to be repeated decision then it’s bonkers.”

If this is the beginning of a war on time-wasting then bring it on. If its a once off, out of the blue, never to be repeated decision then it's bonkers

— Rúaidhrí O'Connor (@RuaidhriOC) September 15, 2022

South African journalist Brendan Nel wrote: “It was a massive call, and one that in 26 years of covering rugby I’ve never seen. It shouldn’t have been a call that settled the game, but it was. Every AB supporter will say it was fair, every Aussie supporter the opposite. As a neutral to me it was wrong.”

With that Raynal basicallty handed the Rugby champs to the All Blacks.
Bizarre reffing all round, not just that final call.
Totally bizarre. Not a good look for the game, no matter who you support.

— Brenden Nel (@Brendennel) September 15, 2022

One Australian rugby fan account wrote: “I prefer to see the players decide the outcome of the game not the referee. Mathieu Raynal should never referee at test level again.”

I prefer to see the players decide the outcome of the game not the referee.

Mathieu Raynal should never referee at test level again @WorldRugby

— Loosehead Greg (@LooseheadG) September 15, 2022

Another wrote: “I really want to say a fair go for the ref, but I honestly don’t know what to say. I have never seen a call like that. Foley was looking to kick, clearly we’re acting on the penalty, despite taking our time. Can’t fault the boys, but I’m lost for words.”

I really want to say a fair go for the ref, but I honestly don't know what to say. I have never seen a call like that. Foley was looking to kick, clearly we're acting on the penalty, despite taking our time.
Can't fault the boys, but I'm lost for words #AUSvNZL #BledisloeCup

— Nick Wasiliev (@Nick_Wasiliev) September 15, 2022

Others defended Raynal, with the Sydney Morning Herald’s Iain Payten giving a useful second-by-second timeline of the incident, which suggested that the official’s decision didn’t come without provocation:

78.25: Penalty.
78.50: Raynal – “Play on please”.
78.55: Raynal – “Quick play”.
78.56: Raynal blows time off. “Time off.
7 seconds elapses. “You play now. Time on.”
Three seconds.
78.59: Raynal “Ten?” – Foley looks back, begins kick.
79.04: Blows freekick

39 seconds had elapsed

78.25: Penalty.
78.50: Raynal – "Play on please".
78.55: Raynal – "Quick play".
78.56: Raynal blows time off. "Time off.
7 seconds elapses. "You play now. Time on."
Three seconds.
78.59: Raynal "Ten?" – Foley looks back, begins kick.
79.04: Blows freekick

39 seconds had elapsed

— iainpayten (@iainpayten) September 15, 2022

Former England flyhalf Andy Goode also defended the call, writing: “Actually a decent call in my opinion from Mathieu Raynal to penalise the time wasting of Bernard Foley. What a finish to the game! The Aussies will be raging though!”

Actually a decent call in my opinion from Mathieu Raynal to penalise the time wasting of Bernard Foley. What a finish to the game! The Aussies will be raging though! #AUSvNZ

— Andy Goode (@AndyGoode10) September 15, 2022

It was the only big call for Raynal, who issued a yellow card to Darcy Swain in the first half when many believed it should have been red. Swain was adjudged to have deliberately targeted the lower limb of Quinn Tupaea.