This TMO catastrofuck comes from an Australian National Rugby Championship match between the Sydney Stars and the North Harbour Rays.
To make it perfectly clear, that was Rays prop Mitch Lewis dotting down behind his own goal line, which should have resulted in a five-metre scrum to the Stars. Instead, it seems that the TMO mistook Lewis' yellow sleeve for that of an attacking player and advised that a try be awarded.
It's funny and terrible all at once, but on a slightly serious point this does show that kit clashes, however slight, have the potential to cause major problems for officials. Thanks to the mix-up, the Stars went on to win the game 49-40 - one shudders at the thought of something like this in an international.
We'd love to hear if this has happened to anybody in club rugby closer to home. Also, do you think there should be an own try-type rule in rugby for carrying the ball over your own line, similar to the safety in the NFL? One point and a conversion to the attacking team would certainly introduce an extra element of excitement to try-line defending. Do let us know your thoughts as always.
via rugbydump
