'I haven’t seen a decision like that': French ref stuns Wallabies coach
REACTION: Wallabies head coach Dave Rennie was left stunned after his team had victory snatched away from them in their Rugby Championship encounter against the All Blacks in Melbourne on Thursday.
With three minutes left on the clock and with the scores level at 34-34, Nic White nailed a penalty to put Australia in front.
However, moments later Bernard Foley, in his first game for three years, was controversially penalised by French referee Mathieu Raynal for time-wasting as he attempted to run down the clock.
It handed possession back to New Zealand in the form of a scrum and Jordie Barrett crossed after the final siren to give his team a 39-37 win.
Rennie said he had never seen a decision like that before.
He spoke with a devastated Foley after the match, with the flyhalf under the impression that the clock had stopped.
“I haven’t seen a decision like that at any level,” said Rennie. “The rule book is complex, isn’t it? There’s surely something in there somewhere (but) that is never reffed upon.”
“It’s incredibly disappointing way to finish because down 13-31, 13 players, we showed a huge amount of character to come back into the game and then get our nose in front,” Rennie said.
“To lose it in that fashion … the boys are in the change-room and they’re hurting.”
The most chaotic ending to one of the greatest Bledisloe Cup games. Wow. #BledisloeCup | LIVE on Channel 9, 9Now and Stan Sport#9WWOS #AUSvNZL pic.twitter.com/4Z5da4Mz9q
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) September 15, 2022
Rennie described Foley’s performance during the 80 minutes as “sensational”.
“He controlled the game really well and his goal-kicking was exceptional,” Rennie said of Foley.
“He’s very confident, he gives a lot of confidence to people around them, so I thought he had a big game.”
Meanwhile, Australia captain James Slipper said it was a heartbreaking way to end a game.
“Absolutely gutted. I don’t know what to say,” said Slipper.
“We wanted to put in a performance tonight and we just fell short there. Probably the most cutting way to finish again, in my opinion.”
The All Blacks and the Wallabies will meet again next weekend in Auckland in Round Six of the Rugby Championship.
Sources: AAP and AFP
#REACTION: Ian Foster had little sympathy for the Australians after Thursday’s controversial Rugby Championship clash 👇#RugbyChampionship #NewZealand #AllBlacks #Australia #Wallabies #AUSvNZL https://t.co/iCFf8RWLes
— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) September 15, 2022
