Byrne: Ref’s Call Unfair
Referee overrules TV footage to disallow Drua’s try
Acontroversial decision by Australian referee Damon Murphy, in disallowing Leone Rotuisolia’s try has angered Swire Shipping Fijian Drua head coach Mick Byrne.
“I’m disappointed with the referee’s decision,” Byrne told SUNsports after they went down 43-28 in Canberra last Friday night. “He (Murphy) said it was a knock on and it was not shown on the footage. It’s very disappointing.”
The incident occurred in the final quarter when the Fijian Drua was trailing the Brumbies 31-28. If the try was awarded, if would put the Drua into the lead and could have flung the game into their favour.
Byrne has been very vocal on controversial decisions made against the Drua, especially playing against the Australian teams. In March, during the Super Round in Melbourne, he slammed a flaw in the framework of the rugby law after his side were forced to go down to 13 men late in their match against the Waratahs.
The Drua was leading 17-10 midway into the second half when the incident occurred and with 13 men allowed the Waratahs to pull away to a 46-17 victory.
Byrne again expressed his concern of the high penalty count in the Drua’s 27-24 loss to the Reds in Brisbane.
After trailing 19-0 against the Brumbies midway into the first half, the Fijians swung into action with two quick tries to halfback Peni Matawalu and captain Teti Tela, who converted both as they trailed 19-14 at halftime.
The Drua were kept into the match with tries to centre, Iosefo Masi and Kalaveti Ravouvou with Tela landing the conversions.