'Robbed' - Fans furious as Angus Gardner non-call saves Scotland
A lot of neutrals have questioned referee Angus Gardner and his decision not to call off-side against Scotland in the dying moments of their 26-14 Six Nations win over Italy at Murrayfield.
With the score at 19-14 to the hosts but with Italy camped on the Scottish line, Gardner’s TMO called for a knock-on against Italy, a call which infuriated captain Michele Lamaro and many neutrals watching online.
Despite Gardner twice penalising and warning Scotland for offside at the ruck, he instead deferred to his officials of a knock-on instead of penalising the Scots for a third time.
A few phases later Scotland broke up the pitch thanks to winger Duhan van der Merwe, who put Blair Kinghorn away on his inside to seal the win for the home side.
Twitter was furious with many Irish fans in particular taking exception to the non-call by the Australian referee.
HOW IS THAT NOT OFFSIDE?!
Italy absolutely robbed #SCOvITA
— Cardiff Rugby Life (@CardiffRugbyWeb) March 18, 2023
https://twitter.com/cianodo/status/1637096916323385347
Feel sorry for Italy, they were robbed again by a ref #SCOvITA
— Bruno Halter (@brhalter) March 18, 2023
Italy absolutely robbed there by the ref at the end. Warns Scotland for offside and then two phases later let’s them away with it. Early push in scrum then rewarded with advantage and Scotland in fairness to them go coast to coast. #SCOvITA
— Brian Dowling (@dowlking1) March 18, 2023
Absolute travesty at the end of #SCOvITA … Italy robbed by very poor officiating.
— Bruce Masson (@brucemasson) March 18, 2023
Scotland better team over 80min but Italy robbed (again) by very poor ref decision at the very end. Really feel for #ita – deserved at least one win in this tournament. Not their best performance today – but still had a chance to nick it at the end.
#SCOvITA— FPL_DelBoy (@fpl_delboy) March 18, 2023
Italy robbed by Scotland and the ref. Absolutely shocking decision at the end. Clear off side. #SCOvITA
— Andy O'Brien (@AindriuOBriain) March 18, 2023
italy fully robbed of that imo appalling referring of yet another six nations match in this tournament something seriously has to be done before the world cup because there have been some absolute shockers this tournament #SCOvITA
— ★☆★ ash IS SEEING SKZ (@hanotherday) March 18, 2023
Scotland will likely finish the Six Nations in third as a result of the win Gregor Townsend will no doubt be breathing a sigh of relief.
Comments on RugbyPass
Wonderful insightful interview with Crusader Johnny McNicoll. He was exceptional in the wins over the Chiefs and Rebels and I am sure he will get a contract again for 2025. He was an excitement machine for Canterbury and the Crusaders in 2011-16 and he still is. He has added to the attack particularly. Had a fine career with Wales in the intervening years.
1 Go to commentsAmazing what decent coaching can do! I always felt Folau never improved much as a player and never had a great coach using his talents. Suli seems different at qld this year.
8 Go to commentsI’m sick to death of waiting 3 years for league players to become half decent. It cripples Australian rugby in the meantime. The Reds actually looked half competent without Vunivalu not starting last week. He’s just a liability of errors. Paisami is looking better than he has in previous years but I’d have Kerevi back in a flash. A kiwi wont tho …...
8 Go to commentsExcellent analysis Nick as we have come to expect. I was not really aware that NFL strategies have been adopted by rugby teams, especially in defence. One point I would make is that the Northhampton attacking player on the end of the chain in the video examples has not maintained the correct depth to be effective. In the footage shown the outside player is too flat to make the best of the opportunity his inside players have provided. In each case they have to reduce speed and turn their body backwards to secure the ball, losing all momentum and giving the impressive scrambling defence the chance to shut down the threat.
1 Go to commentsMorning, John. Do you think that it may be a good idea to rest both teams from the Madrid comp leading in to the Olympics
2 Go to comments« I am preparing myself for much more, something much bigger. I’m focussing on the next cycle, » You don’t say…
1 Go to commentsGeez plenty of time to come right before test season starts. Dont panic mr Mannering!!!!!
1 Go to commentsGreat read Nick. The Reds really have been great to watch this year, and the improvement of not only the players you mention, but the squad in general has been obvious. The Reds 10/12 play making axis is a nice counterpoint to the 10/15 partnership at the Brumbies and Rebels. If Schmidt was to pick say, Lolesio, Paisami and Wright / Kellaway, would this be too many play makers? I notice in a lot of those clips Tim Ryan playing across the field in support of Vunivalu. Is this a feature of Kiss’s structure?
8 Go to commentsSo sad, god rest him. Too young to be gone. RIP
2 Go to commentsRIP big man 🙏
2 Go to commentsThe GB coach. “Just because we don’t get together as much as other teams we don’t use that as an excuse for performances when we don’t hit the mark”. Why mention it at all then?
1 Go to commentsNo mention of the yellow card for Harlequins which really cost them.
3 Go to commentsThought you’d left us Nick. Good to have you back writing for us. So hunter ikitau works? I reckon wright kellaway as two of the back 3. Tim Ryan and Toole looking good for strike winger but I still want the power of korobeiti and figure our forwards still need him to help them out. Million dollar question is who plays 10? I’m thinking Noah for his kicking and combo with wright. Reckon the pair adds up to an attack and kellaway will help. Can you comment on Zac Lucas in Japan? How is he going?
8 Go to commentsMack Hansen, Ethan Roots, Taine Plumbtree, Louis Lynagh, Emmanuel Meafou? Which country do you want to pick your Barbarians from?
3 Go to commentsInstead of apologising, try to act like an adult, fcknut.
3 Go to commentsLooks like the Force twisted his leg…ahem arm
7 Go to commentsScotland should change their name to the Barbarians
3 Go to commentsThe game was already over leave the bloke alone ….from a Welsh fan 😀👍
3 Go to commentsShamefully the Toulouse players acted like footballers, falling down feigning injury at the slightest knock. About time refs penalised this play acting.
8 Go to commentsAnother non Scot for the anti Scot Townsend. Soon there will be no Scottish born and bred players in the National team.
3 Go to comments