'That is Angus Bell's hand' - Whitelock try leaves fans irate
A contentious try by veteran second row Sam Whitelock has left many fans scratching their heads after the All Blacks defeated the Wallabies in Auckland on Saturday.
In a big turnaround from last week’s epic Bledisloe drama in Melbourne, the men in black romped to a relatively easy 40-14 victory at Eden Park.
Yet Whitelock’s try still rankled as many believe it was a Wallaby that grounded the ball and not the 6’8 All Black. Irish referee Andrew Brace on-field decision was that the try was good and he referred it to Welsh TMO Ben Whitehouse, who made the call that there was no reason not to award it.
However many fans watching at home believe that it was in fact Wallaby No.8 Angus Bell’s hand that grounded the ball.
Some are even calling it the ‘first own try’ in rugby. Below is a video of the contentious touchdown.
Angus Bell's maiden Wallabies try probably wasn't quite what he had envisaged ?#NZLvAUS | #RugbyChampionship pic.twitter.com/990K7sWEF1
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 24, 2022
The counter-argument being made by others is that both players were holding the ball, although from the footage it’s hard to determine who was in control of the ball when it was grounded, although Bell seemed to be getting the better of it.
Whitehouse said that they were in ‘simultaneous control’ but that the All Blacks had had possession of the ball first and that he had no ‘clear evidence’ that a try had not been scored.
Others didn’t see it that way.
Fox Sports’ journalist Christy Doran wrote: “That is Angus Bell’s hand. Surely, the TMO can see this”
That is Angus Bell’s hand.
Surely, the TMO can see this?????
— Christy Doran (@ChristypDoran) September 24, 2022
Australian commentator Sean Maloney Tweeted: “Best team wins no doubt, would just love for a referee on here to talk me through the law ruling around Whitelock try. Someone. Anyone. Please.”
Best team wins no doubt, would just love for a referee on here to talk me through the law ruling around Whitelock try. Someone. Anyone. Please. #NZLvAUS
— Sean Maloney (@seanny202) September 24, 2022
One Wallabies fan wrote: “Angus Bell scores for NZ. That will do me. He’s a Wallaby. I’m done.”
Angus Bell scores for NZ. That will do me. He's a Wallaby. I'm done. #NZLvAUS
— Deng Nguyen (@deng_nguyen) September 24, 2022
South African rugby account Jared Wright proclaimed it the sport’s first ever own try. “Angus Bell, the first player to score an own try in test rugby?”
Angus Bell, the first player to score an own try in test rugby?#NZLvAUS #RugbyChampionship pic.twitter.com/I2uCmSGv0n
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) September 24, 2022
EK Analysis saw merit in the argument that both players were holding the ball, arguing Whitelock should get the try as he never lost control.
Don't think I've ever seen a situation like this. Two players holding the ball at the same time as it's grounded.
Guess it should be a try if Whitelock's deemed to have always held it anyway?#NZLvAUS pic.twitter.com/nrRNLYcFoB
— EK Rugby Analysis (@ek_rugby) September 24, 2022
While it might hard to argue that the try was the difference between the sides, even if Ian Foster’s side kicked on after it, it did mean helped the garner some precious points difference for New Zealand and that could be what decides this year’s Rugby Championship.
Comments on RugbyPass
Steve Borthwick deserves credit for releasing the shackles on his England side and letting them play in a manner that somewhat resembles the top sides in the Gallagher Premiership. Will they revert to type in New Zealand in July.?
24 Go to commentsJames Lowe wouldn't get in any other 6N team. He's a great example of Farrell’s brilliance, and the Irish system. He is slow. His footwork is poor. But he fits perfectly in that Irish system, and has a superb impact. But put him in another team, and he'll look bang average.
3 Go to commentsCrusaders reached their heights through recruitment of North Island players, often leaving those NI teams bereft of key players. Example: Scott Barrett and Sam Whitelock robbed the Canes of their lineout and AB locks. For years the Canes have struggled at lock. This rabid recruitment was iniated by rule changes by a Crusader dominated NZR Head Office. Now this aggressive recruitment has back-fired, going after young inside back Hamilton Boys stars. They now have 4 Chiefs region 10s and not one with the requisite experience at Super level. Problems of their own making!
2 Go to commentsOver rated for a long time…exposed at scrum time too.
3 Go to comments“Firing me” should have been Gatland’s answer.
2 Go to commentsFinn Russell logic: “World” = 4 countries. Ireland may be at or near the top. FR’s bigger concern should be he and his fellow Scots (incl. the Bloemfontein ones) sliding back down to below top 10
42 Go to commentsMind games have begun. Ireland learned their lesson after saying they could beat England with 13 players or whatever. Still, if they win at Loftus, that would be impressive - final frontier etc.
58 Go to comments$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
3 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!
3 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?
24 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!).
3 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.
3 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.
24 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.
24 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.
24 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 comments