Leinster continued their unbeaten season on Saturday at the Aviva, defeating Connacht 20-12. It was an abrasive contest played in dramatic winds. Leinster built up a 17-0 score at halftime with the wind advantage. Connacht came back into the game in the second half, inspired by Mack Hansen, and cut the lead to 17-12.
A yellow card for Jimmy O'Brien gave Connacht a platform to chase a try that would put them in front late on, but genius tackle from Jordie Barrett helped swing the game back in Leinster's favour.
In the end Barrett was the difference between the two teams. On a night where Leinster fielded a number of academy graduates, it was Barrett's guile - an outstanding assist, two game-changing tackles and a number of outstanding moments - that got them over the line.
The refereeing of the first half was a huge cause of frustration for Connacht players and fans alike.
There was one incident in particular in the 18th minute of the game where Jordie Barrett cleared Bundee Aki at a ruck that caused consternation.
Barrett appeared to come in from the side and his shoulder appeared to make contact with the head of Aki. However no penalty was called by ref Chris Busby and the TMO did not intervene.
The incident was discussed on the RTÉ commentary and Donal Lenihan agreed it should be 'looked at'.
Earlier in the half, the TMO had been quite judicious in helping adjudicate on a high tackle on Connacht's Josh Ioane on Gus McCarthy that resulted in a penalty.
Later in the first half, a frustrated Connacht captain Cian Prendergast could be heard on the ref mic saying to Busby after Shane Jennings was sin-binned:
"Two headshots against us but the crowd hasn't reacted so you haven't gone and looked at the TMO, yes? But the crowd has reacted, and you have gone to TMO. Just keep that in mind'
Connacht battled back bravely, and Mack Hansen - who was outstanding throughout - let frustrations spill over. He told reporters in the post-match press conference - via Brendan O'Brien of the Examiner - the following:
We never get any calls. Ever. I've been feeling this for years now. Like checking the Gus McCarthy one, how much? How much did they check that? Ten or eleven times? Bundee gets a direct hit to the head. It's quite obvious. No call. We get that every time. You can hear the frustration in my voice. It's starting to get to the point where honestly, it's bullshit. It's starting to get really frustrating for us.
He added:
"We're not a team for excuses, but it felt like we were getting pressure from sixteen men instead of fifteen."
RTE Panel on Barrett incident: 'a rugby incident'
Speaking at halftime on RTÉ, Jamie Heaslip said he didn't think there was anything in the Barrett incident.
I think it's just a normal ruck. The TMO would have viewed this. I think Bundee's looking for it, if I'm honest. He's looking for the penalty there. The TMO would have viewed that. I just think it was a good ruck.
Bernard Jackman described it as a 'rugby incident':
No, I think it's just a rugby incident. I do think there's contact with Bundee's head there. I do think the referee's struggled to lay down a marker at the break down. The breakdown has been horrendous. There's bodies everywhere.
There wasn't a clear enough angle of head contact for me, and I think the TMO was right in that situation, but I do think Chris Busby needs to get a handle on the breakdown. It's actually killing the game.
Busby would penalise Leinster with two yellow cards in the second half but it's clear Hansen's frustrations with how Connacht are officiated go further back than tonight's defeat.
