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'Try or no try?': Controversy overshadows opening minutes of Hurricanes v Highlanders clash

(Photos / Twitter)

It only took four minutes for the spotlight to be cast on a refereeing decision from the Hurricanes’ clash with the Highlanders in Wellington on Sunday.

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With both sides exchanging possession through the boot as they accustomed themselves to each other and the blustery conditions at Sky Stadium, Highlanders first-five Mitch Hunt looked to have opened the game up with a blistering counter-attack from inside his own half.

Fielding the ball from a Jordie Barrett in-field kick about 30 metres from his own line, Hunt sized up the opposition before spotting an opening in the defensive line to exploit.

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Roger Tuivasa-Sheck for Blues U18

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Roger Tuivasa-Sheck for Blues U18

With that gap in sight, Hunt accelerated and burst through into the hosts’ half virtually untouched, leaving him just TJ Perenara to beat with Aaron Smith on his inside shoulder.

The ex-Crusaders pivot drew and passed the ball in a textbook manner to set free the veteran Highlanders co-captain, who cantered in under the posts with aplomb.

Or that’s what the Highlanders thought, but referee Brendon Pickerill had a different say in the matter as he referred the scoring play to the TMO for review.

Upon second inspection, the officials discovered an innocuous piece of shepherding by Highlanders co-captain Ash Dixon on Du’Plessis Kirifi as he tried to move out of Hunt’s way.

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As the video replays showed, Sky’s commentary team unanimously agreed was out of reach of Hunt regardless of where Dixon was placed.

Their thoughts paled in contrast to the TMO and referee, though, as the duo combined to rule out the try to leave the Highlanders scoreless.

Whether or not the try should have stood is up for debate, but there’s little doubting that the Highlanders will have felt aggrieved by the call.

None more so than Dixon, who must be wondering what more he could have done to have removed himself from the situation.

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R
RW 2 hours ago
The All Blacks' backline is to blame for Robertson's unflattering record

Your feelings of rugby players personalities on and off the field aside, the ABs can't really blame the backline, sure they didn't perform but where were they last year, they got to a World Cup final. Same players different coach. Scott Robertson has the unenviable task of taking over a team that has traditionally been fantastic. They places a huge amount of pressure on a man, particularly one with the pedigree of 14 Super Rugby titles.


However club level and international country level are two completely different beasts. For one the opponents are good in club level but normally the best if the best are picked to represent their countries. Thus the level of opposition in club level vary tremendously. Also you only learn against the opposition you play, again Crusaders have really only got New Zealanders to play against who can give them any kind of opposition. Which means any non style ABs game play is not tested by 'Saders because they don't face anything else.


Now Scotty has taken over the coaching role from a guy who worked under possibly the best coach ABs have ever had, which means when Fozzie took over, he still had the inklings of top quality rugby although it appeared he didn't quite know how to work them properly. Now Scotty had no coaching ties with them, effectively starting from scratch. So he is still figuring out his team, and working them in. But unfortunately for now he is the one to blame for the less than average performances by his team that was shown us these past two tests and even the one against Argentina.


But it's not to say he is done and dusted but rather he needs to figure out his route, and like Rassie did and does, figure out his players, his game plan and how to get them back to where they were on 2011-2015.


My suggestion if he can, is to blood quite a few new okies, who can gain experience of playing against Springboks, France, Ireland, etc. and prepare them for the the next World Cup. Don't be shy about losing games but always look to preparing a new group for the RWC '27. If he has a newish style of playing, what better way to inform that than by starting with a fresh pair of legs and minds. Let a couple of the oldies to stay but build a new ABs team with a new style. Easier to train a puppy than an old dog. Just saying.


Give Razor time, and allow him the space. This is coming from a Saffa🇿🇦. Go Bokke, love you okes

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