‘That is terrible officiating- TMO was wrong, ref was wrong, everyone was wrong’
Former South Africa assistant coach Swys de Bruin was left fuming at a decision made by the officials in the Sharks draw with Munster on Saturday.
In a repeat of their Heineken Champions Cup round of 16 encounter, it looked as though it was going to be a comfortable win again for the hosts at Kings Park, as they led 22-3 in the second half. That was until Munster mounted a resurgence in the final 30 minutes.
But Munster’s second try was contentious, although it should not have been. Rather it should simply not have been a try at all as the Munster winger Calvin Nash’s foot is in touch when grounding the ball. That does not always mean a try cannot be awarded, but de Bruin explained on SuperSport after the match why it should not have stood.
“That is terrible officiating- the TMO was wrong, the ref was wrong, everyone was wrong,” he said.
“Say the ball was lying there in behind the goal, lying still, and I come in and my foot touches the touch line and I put my hand on it- that’s a try. But if the ball is in the air an inch, two inches, five inches, or a metre in the air and I put my foot out, that is out. Now that’s the law. Now surely they should have the law book there, and I know it doesn’t happen often, but don’t bluff me with that one.”
De Bruin then went on to break down the try in slow motion and show that the ball was in the air when Nash first made contact with it, all while his foot was out. He then lamented that that decision could have a major say in both sides’ seasons, although they did still both make the United Rugby Championship quarter-finals, where Munster will travel to face the Glasgow Warriors and the Sharks have a daunting trip to play Leinster.
Take a look at the video:
🗣️ “The TMO was wrong, everyone was wrong, that was not a try!”
🗣️ “The ball is in the air, his foot is in touch.”
Swys de Bruin explains why Calvin Nash’s try against the Cell C Sharks on the touchline should never have been awarded. pic.twitter.com/PhkCD1ls0W
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) April 24, 2023
