'Must have been getting a coffee' - officials off to wobbly start in Rome
The standard of the officiating in the opening minutes of Italy and Ireland’s Guinness Six Nations game in Rome has been ridiculed on social media.
An apparent try by Ireland second row Iain Henderson wasn’t awarded by referee Mathieu Raynard even when referred to Television Match Official (TMO) Romain Poite. Henderson was clearly not pleased having asked Raynard to review the call.
The ball bounced out of his hand after he appeared to touch it down over the line, which was spotted by just about the entire internet, but not the officials in Rome.
Could someone check in the box to see if Romain Poite is awake @BrianODriscoll ? #ITAvIRE pic.twitter.com/Y1H8J7OnMv
— paul mcmenemy (@paulmoneymore) February 27, 2021
Confusion…
TMO have checked and it is still NO TRY
Watch LIVE
? @ITV
? https://t.co/JZGrxmYzw4#ITAvIRE #GuinnessSixNations #ITVRugby pic.twitter.com/pDz9gqZZUS— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) February 27, 2021
Former Ireland number 8 Jamie Heaslip tweeted: “I’m still confused how they missed Henderson try!?! Direct and quick play from Ireland in the opening exchanges.”
I’m still confused how they missed Henderson try!?!
Direct and quick play from ireland in the opening exchanges #ITAvIRE
— jamie heaslip (@jamieheaslip) February 27, 2021
Former England flyhalf Andy Goode wrote on Twitter: “Romain Poite being Romain Poite on TMO duty and missing a clear try for Henderson!! Must have been getting a coffee.”
Romain Poite being Romain Poite on TMO duty and missing a clear try for Henderson!! Must have been getting a coffee…… #ITAvIRE pic.twitter.com/hIUmKHkF24
— Andy Goode (@AndyGoode10) February 27, 2021
*Checks who TMO is* …ah. #ITAvIRE pic.twitter.com/IbXZJ5hBhR
— Ben Coles (@bencoles_) February 27, 2021
That was clearly a TRY for Henderson. What game is the TMO watching?#ITAvIRE
— Guy Arnel (@GuylArnel) February 27, 2021
Looks like they're using the 3rd umpire from the India-England test as TMO in the #ITAvIRE match!
— Gareth Williams (@garrob66) February 27, 2021
Looking at a replay of disallowed try from @IrishRugby by TMO is shocking. Even I could've given that try with the technology they are given. #ITAvIRE #shocking
— petrus (@sport2222) February 27, 2021
Is Stevie Wonder doing the TMO today? #ITAvIRE pic.twitter.com/Fy86u3BLRt
— BenchWarmers (@BeWarmers) February 27, 2021
I whip this out every match. But here we go again. Ref and TMO looking at Henderson’s try #ITAvIRE pic.twitter.com/ZdasAucPIL
— Clare Molloy (@ClareeMolloy) February 27, 2021
It didn’t stop Ireland scoring a few minutes later through centre Garry Ringrose.
Italy, who made a late change to their team with Callum Braley replacing Stephen Varney at scrum-half, started brightly and went 3-0 ahead in the fourth minute thanks to a Paolo Garbisi penalty.
The lead lasted just two minutes as returning Ireland captain Sexton converted a penalty at the other end.
Ireland arrived in Rome to take on Italy on the back of their worst start to a Guinness Six Nations campaign.
Andy Farrell’s side have scored a tournament-low two tries in defeats by Wales and France.
Head coach Farrell made seven changes to the team beaten by Les Bleus on February 14, including recalling skipper Johnny Sexton and vice-captain James Ryan following head injuries.
Hosts Italy, who have named an unchanged starting XV following the 41-18 loss to England, have not won a championship game for six years and will be hoping to avoid a 30th successive defeat in the competition.
– additional reporting PA
Comments on RugbyPass
$950k for a Prop that isn’t fit enough to play 10 mins of rugby? Surely there is someone better to replace Big Mike with
2 Go to commentsFour 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.
16 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.
2 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 comments