Sevu’s big try
Crusaders winger Sevu Reece scores his controversial game-changing try against the Chiefs in Hamilton on August 1, 2020. The Fijian’s try has been subjected to a lot of discussions over the referee’s call.
Chiefs halfback Brad Weber appeared to let his frustrations get the better of him, cynically pushing Crusaders winger Sevu Reece over the advertising hoardings in Hamilton. Reece and the Crusaders had the last laugh, claiming a 32-19 victory to move even further ahead in Super Rugby Aotearoa.
With the Chiefs down by a point on the scoreboard, and in search of their first win in eight games, the home side found themselves under the pump at FMG Stadium. As Richie Mo’unga cleared a ball into touch from inside his own half, Reece showed off his electric pace by chasing the kick.
However, as the ball bounced near the sideline, Reece went up to try and bring it down, preventing the Chiefs from a quick lineout.
Weber pushed Reece as he jumped, sending the winger over the advertising hoarding.
“Just be careful, if you can’t go for the ball don’t foul him,” Weber was told by referee Ben O’Keefe but no further action was taken against the halfback.
In the 61st minute Reece was again at the centre of another controversy after his try was being questioned.
O’Keeffe, after consultation with TMO Glenn Newman, ruled that lock Quinten Strange had knocked backward and not forward before Reece swooped to score.
It was the Crusaders’ fourth try, and a crucial one at that, the visitors leading 20-19 at the time then going on to claim a 32-19 victory.
Coaches tell
“I thought Sevu Reece’s try was a knock on, but you’ve got to take those calls, as we’ve been doing,” Chiefs head coach Warren Gatland said.
“For me, where the contact of the body is and where the ball bounces,
even though he’s run through, it’s definitely gone forward.
“It’s probably a psychological thing, like ‘here we go again’. “I thought you could see the crowd’s reaction, and talking afterwards to some of the TV commentators, they could see the same picture that I could see, and maybe you guys could see as well. “They’re (the refs) always going to make a mistake or two. So it’s a bit frustrating. But we’ve just got to take that on the chin and move on.”
Crusaders coach, Scott Robertson said it was a try when asked for his assessment.
“It came backwards out of his hand,” he added.