Noon's non-try - O'Brien apologises

'It was a try'

The Guardian newspaper reports that Paddy O'Brien, the International Rugby Board's (IRB) referees manager, has said that England should have been awarded the try by Jamie Noon which the television match official refused to recommend.

O'Brien went further and apologised to England on behalf of the IRB.

In the fourth minute of the match Noon crashed over the New Zealand line despite the attentions of Ma'a Nonu and Chris Jack. The referee, Joël Jutge of France, referred the matter to the television match official, Christophe Berdos of France.

Berdos reported that there had definitely been a hand under the ball and recommended a five-metre scrum to England. England were well beaten 41-20 by New Zealand but at that stage the score was just 3-0 to the visitors.

On Monday, The Guardian reported that O'Brien had officially apologised to England for the TMO's decision, saying:  "It was absolutely a try."

O'Brien said that Jutge had mistakenly asked the television match official, Christophe Berdos, whether he could see the ball being touched down.

O'Brien said: "I don't think Joel should be hung out to dry but the question should have been: 'Is there any reason why I can't award the try?'"

For a discussion of the incident, click here.