A controversial refereeing decision in the final minute of play has left the Wallabies struggling to cope with a 39-37 loss to the All Blacks in the opening test of the Bledisloe Cup in Melbourne.
Key Points:
- The Wallabies had led 37-34 when Bernard Foley was pinged for running out of time
- The All Blacks scored after the full-time siren to claim victory
- The results mean the Bledisloe Cup will stay with the All Blacks for another year
The Wallabies led 37-34 in the 79th minute of the Rugby Championship match when they were awarded a penalty five meters from their goal line.
The Wallabies decided to throw to touch with half Bernard Foley, who was warned by referee Mathieu Raynal not to use delaying tactics.
Raynal had called for “time off” and then “time on” as he waited for Foley to kick.
As the clock ticked into the final 60 seconds of the game, Raynal pinged Foley for time out and awarded the All Blacks a free kick.
From the ensuing scrum feed, the All Blacks won the ball and sent it wide on the right, with winger Jordie Barrett scoring in the corner to seal the win after the full-time siren.
Both Foley and reserve center Nic White, whose 77th-minute penalty goal put the Wallabies ahead on the scoreboard, had protested to Raynal after his decision, but to no avail.
Referee Mathieu Raynal (centre) confronts Nic White (left) and Foley. (Getty Images: Cameron Spencer)
Foley, playing his first Test in three years, was left shattered, and the result ensured the All Blacks retained the Bledisloe Cup.
“The referee called time-out and sped it up,” Foley told the Nine Network.
“I think it’s disappointing what a good game it was, but we’re talking about the referee.”
Wallabies captain James Slipper was equally upset as his side had mounted an incredible fightback after going down 31-13 midway through the second half.
“Absolutely gutted. I don’t really know what to say, but we really wanted to put on a performance tonight and we fell short,” Slipper said.
“In my opinion, that’s probably the most shameless way to end a game.”
Wallabies fullback Andrew Kellaway, who scored back-to-back tries during his side’s second-half comeback, was devastated by the late referee’s decision.
“It’s the first time I’ve seen this in rugby … it’s hard to swallow,” he told ABC Sport.
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie shared his players’ disappointment.
“I’m heartbroken for our men because I think we deserved better,” he said.
“It was a hell of a football game.
“We got a couple of yellow cards and found ourselves 31-13 down so to get back in front showed a lot of character and it’s a disappointing way to lose it.”
“Squeaky Under Pressure”
Wallabies great Tim Horan, commentating for the Nine Network, criticized Raynal for his latest call.
“I thought it was a disgraceful decision by the referee,” Horan told Nine.
“I thought he cracked under pressure.
“I think you could have had 15 more umpires … who would have taken it easy and not been blown away by the experience.
Raynal talks to the Wallabies as the All Blacks players look on. (Getty Images: Morgan Hancock)
“90 seconds left in the game and he broke under pressure, in one of the biggest games here in Australia.
“It’s a disgraceful decision and World Rugby needs to look at it.
“Great referees make decisions in this last part of the game and they are calm about it.
“I thought it was a disgraceful decision and I think everyone in the stadium and watching probably thinks the same.”
Former Queensland Reds manager Phil Mooney, commentating for ABC Sport, said he was left “speechless”.
“I’ve been watching rugby for a long time,” he said.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen that penalty at any level.”
The controversial finish marred what had been a thrilling game in front of a sell-out crowd at Docklands Stadium, with the All Blacks scoring five tries to four.
They top the Rugby Championship standings with 14 points.
The Wallabies and All Blacks meet again on September 24 at Auckland’s Eden Park.