Reports in New Zealand on Tuesday suggest that World Rugby have privately admitted a major error in the officiating of last month's World Cup final to the All Blacks.
A gripping final was won by a single point by South Africa, but the aftermath of the game has seen much debate and controversy surrounding the performance of the match officials.
Englishman Wayne Barnes took charge of the final, and he was at the centre of much New Zealand fury, with his decision to award a penalty against Ardie Savea - ultimately the match-winning score from Sprinbok Handre Pollard - the main bone of contention for many.
New Zealand lodged a complaint against the performance of the match officials, and now it appears that World Rugby have privately apologised for a different call against the All Blacks which they have admitted should not have stood.
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2023 Rugby World Cup: World Rugby admit to incorrect call v New Zealand in final
Early in the second half of the Rugby World Cup final, just after the sin-bin for South African captain Siya Kolisi, New Zealand went over for a try in the corner thanks to scrum-half Aaron Smith.
The break from the All Blacks attack was scintillating, with out-half Richie Mo'unga breaking through the Springbok defence before offloading to Smith to slide over. However, the try would be disallowed after the TMO spotted a knock-on in the lineout which had started that attack for New Zealand, with a scrum awarded to South Africa.
(The incident in question takes place at 10:15 in the below video)
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Stuff.co.nz reported today that World Rugby have accepted that the decisive call should never have been made, due to a crucial loophole in the rugby rulebook.
The decision to call a knock-on in the lineout was indeed correct - but a TMO has limited capacity in terms of how far back in a play they are allowed to investigate interferences. The World Rugby rulebook on TMO protocol (updated in 2022) states that the TMO has the power to review:
All Clear and Obvious knock-on or throw forward infringements within two phases leading to a possible try
However, New Zealand clearly surpassed that en route to the disallowed try, with four phases between them recovering the ball and Smith going over in the corner.
The report from Stuff.co.nz suggests that "World Rugby has privately acknowledged to the All Blacks that the ruling of Aaron Smith's try in the final was in fact outside the rules, but is refusing to publicly acknowlede that."
It is yet another controversy to stem from the officiating of the Rugby World Cup final, with New Zealand captain Sam Cane also becoming the first player in history to be sent off in the decider.
Wayne Barnes retired from refereeing shortly after the game, and has since revealed that he has received vile abuse in relation to his officiating of the final, including some threats of sexual violence against his family, and death threats.
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