The no-try call against the Chiefs that's left everyone baffled except for the TMO
There were tense scenes in the closing stages of the Chiefs’ 19-13 victory over the Reds at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on Friday as the hosts repelled wave after wave of Queensland attack on their own tryline in hope of preserving the scoreline for a much-needed win.
Although they managed to hold out the visitors, their job could have been made a lot easier had a try early in the first half been awarded to young Chiefs wing Etene Nanai-Seturo.
The 19-year-old looked to have scored in the left-hand corner inside the opening six minutes despite the best defensive efforts of Reds fullback Matt McGahan and openside flanker Liam Wright.
Many, including television commentators Rikki Swannell, Willie Lose and Richard Turner, were convinced that the teenage prodigy had dotted down to open the scoring for the match, but after referee Angus Gardner consulted with television match official Glenn Newman, the play was ruled as a ‘no-try’ due to a knock on.
Gardner’s on-field decision was ‘try’, meaning Newman had to find a ‘clear and obvious’ reason to overturn the original decision.
Replays at normal speed appeared to show that Nanai-Seturo had grounded the ball, but as Newman slowed replays down to a frame-by-frame motion, a slight gap between the ball and Nanai-Seturo’s grasp was evident.
Consequently, Newman told Gardner to overturn his decision, leaving the Chiefs, commentators and the majority of the Waikato Stadium crowd stunned at the decision.
It is believed that Newman watched replays of the play from a different angle from what was broadcasted both on TV and on the big screen at Waikato Stadium, but a failure to show that angle to spectators, commentators and players alike left many in disbelief at the decision.
“I didn’t see it [the separation], did you?” Chiefs head coach Colin Cooper said post-match, with skipper Sam Cane expressing similar sentiments.
“I literally just took one glance and thought ‘try time’,” he said.
“We jogged back, we talked about we were going to do from the next kickoff. I haven’t seen it again, to be honest, so hard to comment.”
Cooper, who had expressed concerns for inconsistencies shown by TMOs earlier in the week, and Cane weren’t the only ones perplexed by the controversial call, with many taking to Twitter to vent their confusion.
Apparently Etene Nanai-Seturo dropped the ball… ummm ok? #CHIvRED
— Michael Pulman ????? (@realmikepulman) May 24, 2019
No Chiefs try ???? Kidding me #CHIvRED
— Darryl Anderson ?? (@DAprNZ) May 24, 2019
https://twitter.com/shaunnzht/status/1131828160910188545
https://twitter.com/bastardsheep/status/1131828209568239616
https://twitter.com/jordii_dana/status/1131828289226432512
That is the worst TMO call I’ve EVER seen #CHIvRED
— Ryan Bradley (@ryanhowaya) May 24, 2019
This TMO ?. You tripping bruh! #CHIvRED
— J-Hass (@jndegz) May 24, 2019
Chiefs just got dudded ?#SuperRugby #CHIvRED
— Qwine (@Qwine) May 24, 2019
That’s a shocking TMO decision. It was a try every day of the week. #CHIvRED
— Tony Stuart (@TonyStuart55) May 24, 2019
https://twitter.com/Maroelab00m/status/1131828478310060032
How the hell is that deemed a knock on. Ffs, we had a whole week where shit like shit have been spoken about. The game is not played in slow motion you f-ing idiot!!!! These useless officials are killing the game, just killing it. What a joke. #CHIvRED
— ItDoesntMATAwhatyouthink (@RooiKoosUTD) May 24, 2019
Reds head coach Brad Thorn held a different view to most, however, as he commended the refereeing of the under-fire officials.
“We had two disallowed in the first half, one where Sam [Cane] basically dragged our guy over the tryline. But I’m happy, those guys do a tough job every week. I think they’re doing a good job there,” he said.
“Like I keep saying, it’s a tough old gig, the crowd doesn’t usually cheer for the referees. A lot of people critique it, how about having a go at it first and then see how it goes.”
Nevertheless, the Chiefs had the last laugh, with their victory moving them up to 10th spot, just two points shy of a play-offs spot, while the Reds remain in 14th place, five points off the pace of the top eight.
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
Shows how much attitude matters. Last week the Brumbies got done, this week they dominated the tournament leaders, who were likely thinking they could cruise to victory.
4 Go to commentsA Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
4 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
10 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
4 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
2 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to comments