'It was very clear cut': Wallabies get no sympathy from All Blacks coach

REACTION: All Blacks head coach Ian Foster has thrown his support behind French referee Mathieu Raynal after his team edged the Wallabies 39-37 in a controversial Rugby Championship clash in Melbourne.

With the clock winding down in the closing stages of the encounter, the Wallabies had a slender 37-34 and they looked on course to cause an upset.

The visitors then had a chance to level but instead opted for a five-metre line-out to try to win the game but the Wallabies forced a penalty.

However, Raynal controversially turned the penalty into a New Zealand scrum for time-wasting, saying Bernard Foley didn’t play on as instructed.

In the ensuing play, the All Blacks found their man in Jordie Barrett, who touched down in the 81st minute to leave the Wallabies shattered.

After the match, Ian Foster had little sympathy for the Australians, saying the referee was clear in his judgement.

“It was very clear cut – they were delaying the kick and he warned them,” the coach said.

“I understand there’s a bit of contentious nature about it, but it was very clear cut from our position.”

#RugbyChampionship REPORT: The referee was booed off the field in Melbourne as the All Blacks walk away with four points 👇#Wallabies #Australia #NewZealand #AllBlacks #AUSvNZL https://t.co/gfmRepQXhh

— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) September 15, 2022

The win sent the All Blacks four points clear at the top of the standings.

They are currently on 14 points with the Wallabies on 10 points. The Springboks and Argentina, who meet in their Round Five clash in Buenos Aires on Saturday, are both on nine points.

All Blacks captain Sam Cane, who has been under a lot of pressure this season, was a relieved man after Thursday’s match at Docklands Stadium.

“What a classic,” said Cane.

“To win on the buzzer we’re hugely delighted.”

Meanwhile, hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho, who scored two of his team’s five tries, had plenty of praise for his teammates.

“Dramatic is one word to describe it,” said Taukei’aho.

“It was quite nerve-racking.

“Full trust in the boys. They got it done.”

The All Blacks and the Wallabies will meet again next weekend in Auckland in Round Six of the Rugby Championship.

Sources: AAP and AFP

#OPINION: Some key individual performances. Check out the Player Ratings 👇 #RugbyChampionship #NewZealand #AllBlacks #Australia #Wallabies #AUSvNZL https://t.co/OWXTQw6lGM

— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) September 15, 2022