Horwill: 'TMO ruined the game'

Reds captain James Horwill has invited a big sanction after accusing a TMO of ruining the game.

In an emotional post-match outburst Horwill claimed Super Rugby was being ruined and that the Reds were "robbed".

This followed the red-carding of teammate Ed O'Donoghue two minutes from full-time for eye-gouging Rebels captain Scott Higginbotham.

It was the Reds' sixth straight loss (27-30) and their first to the Rebels, in a season of woe which also sank to new depths with a serious shoulder injury to star playmaker Quade Cooper.

Horwill could not hide his rage after the late penalty – awarded on review by TMO Steve Lescinski – was slotted by Rebels sharp-shooter Jason Woodward.

The Reds skipper first  flew off the handle in a television interview before leaving the field.

"In the end, once again we were robbed by a stupid refereeing decision," he said.

Horwill, who could face sanctions from SANZAR, hadn't calmed down at the official post-match press conference and continued his tantrum – repeatedly shaking his head, while huffing and puffing at the "injustice" of it all.

He was furious as referee Steve Walsh had originally given a penalty to the Reds, when Sean McMahon was third man into a scuffle between O'Donoghue and Higginbotham.

Walsh, who did not want to rule on the allegation of gouging off the big screen, told the TMO, Lescinski, he didn't need to review the scuffle, as he had already made his call.

However, the TMO stopped play just as the ensuing line-out was formed and then instructed Walsh that it was a red-card offence.

"It is pretty clear what happened," a fuming Horwill told the post-match media gathering.

"I have played 150 professional games of rugby and I have never, ever, ever seen that happen – it is getting beyond a joke.

"It is ruining the spectacle of rugby, the spectacle that Super Rugby is [when] stuff like that [happens]."

Horwill suggested there was a headbutt by Higginbotham that sparked the melee.

"I think it is pretty clear there was a clash of heads," the Reds skipper said, adding: "Whether Higgers [Rebels captain Scott Higginbotham] meant to do it intentionally or not.

"If you don't judge on that, but you judge on the other thing [incident]. It seems you judge on both or you don't judge on either.

"Higgers hasn't got a scratch on him. From my experience with eye-gouging, if you gouge someone there is usually a mark. Higgers was actually surprised, he thought he was in trouble [when the TMO intervened]."

Horwill said Super Rugby has always been about "expansive rugby" and that has gone out the game.

"There is too much of this game slowing down to look back. We were through our line-out movement, then we get a call back and wait for five minutes and then get a red card on that … please."

Asked about clear evidence that O'Donoghue had his hand on the face of Higginbotham, Horwill said: You can go through every breakdown and there would be hands, elbows, knees and such. It is not intentional, it is the reality of it.

"To pull back for one, across the whole game."

Reds coach Richard Graham said O'Donoghue just 'squeezed' Higginbotham's nose and Horwill agreed.

"Once again, if you get eye-gouged, you reaction – there was no reaction."

Horwill said that while eye-gouging is certainly not part of the game, he felt that if you go back for one incident "you have to go back for every single one that has gone throughout the game, throughout the season, throughout every breakdown" that happened in Super Rugby.

"You can't just choose one out of nowhere – one every 30 games just pick one out. That is the biggest irritant of that whole incident."

The Reds captain said O'Donoghue is "adamant" he didn't touch Higginbotham's eyes – he just had his "hand across his face".

The Reds coach, Graham, said his view is not too dissimilar to Horwill.

"[Referee] Steve [Walsh] says he had a view of it, he made his decision, you get to a line-out and then go back," Graham said.

"If the guy wants to make a deal of it, cite the guy post-game – let the game go. To go back once the movement of the line-out started is actually ridiculous.

"The other thing of the game, how many penalties do you continue to give away, [the referee] plays advantage and you don't give away a yellow card.

"That is frustrating. You can infringe in that area [the 22-metre area] as much as you want, there is just no repercussion."

Rebels coach Tony McGahan was adamant the match-winning penalty was justified, as O'Donoghue's fingers were around Higginbotham's eyes.

McGahan said he hoped the "indiscretion" would be picked up and was thankful it was.

Rebels flank Scott Fuglistaller argued players had been told by officials the head and eyes were "sacrosanct".