Gatland livid with TMO’s ‘mistake’
Eddie Jones was right when he predicted the support of an ‘‘extra man’’ would be crucial when England played Wales. Rather than the Twickenham crowd, it turned out be the television match official.
Wales was aggrieved at having a try ruled out during England’s 12-6 victory which kept Jones’ team on track for a third successive outright Six Nations title.
Jonny May’s early pair of tries set England on their way to a record 15th consecutive home win in the championship.
But Wales could have had two tries, too. Scott Williams’ legs were bundled into touch by England flanker Sam Underhill as he was sliding toward the left corner in the second half. But in the first half, the TMO ruled out a try for fullback Gareth Anscombe.
‘‘He has one big call to make and unfortunately he’s made a terrible mistake and at this level that’s pretty disappointing,’’ Wales coach Warren Gatland said.
England showed little sympathy after moving level on points with Ireland, who thrashed Italy 56-19 in Dublin earlier. A Grand Slam decider between the two next month remains a possibility.
‘‘I don’t know why people say we’re lucky with the refereeing decision,’’ Jones said. ‘‘The TMO has all the time in the world to make his decision.’’
Both teams relied on kicking games in a constant drizzle to pressure, and England were better at it against a Wales side rocked before the match by the withdrawal of fullback Leigh Halfpenny, forcing a first championship start on Anscombe, who acquitted himself well.
Where Wales struggled, England’s Mike Brown excelled. He effortlessly plucked kick after kick out of the air to stymie Wales and launch counter-attacks.
‘‘I thought they [England] were very, very good in the air and dominated that aerial battle and as a result probably dominated a bit more territory and possession,’’ Gatland said. ‘‘That was kind of what hurt us a little bit.’’
The influential Farrell was involved once more as England breached the Welsh in the 20th, finding out wide lock Joe Launchbury, who flicked a deft pass inside for May to grab his second try.
Anscombe then appeared to beat England wing Anthony Watson to the ball in-goal but TMO Glenn Newman advised referee Jerome Garces not to award the try. The disbelieving visitors were forced to settle for a Patchell penalty. ‘‘I thought Gareth got there,’’ Gatland said. ‘‘His hand was there and clearly there’s downward pressure. It’s human error, he makes a mistake, but at this level in front of 82,000 people when there’s a lot at stake guys have got to get those decisions right.’’
England remained in the ascendancy for long periods but were unable to make their territorial advantage pay in the face of a disciplined Welsh defence.
Wales found it similarly difficult to create openings, until Gatland reshuffled his backline by introducing George North in place of Patchell before the hour mark.
Anscombe moved to his preferred No 10 position, and Josh Adams shifted from wing to fullback.
The adjustment almost paid immediate dividends, only for Underhill, on in place of injured No 8 Sam Simmonds at halftime, to prevent a certain try by taking out Scott Williams’ legs.
But Wales came again, North carrying his side up the field with a storming run, leading to a penalty in front of the posts. Trailing by nine with just three minutes remaining, Anscombe ended the game’s 53-minute scoring drought by converting the penalty to bring Wales within a converted try of victory and securing a losing
bonus point.
The tension heightened around Twickenham, but England produced a clinical defensive set from the kickoff to keep Wales inside their own half and close out a crucial victory.
Meanwhile, New Zealand midfielder Bundee Aki says his first test try for Ireland was ‘‘something special’’ but is dismissing talk that it has cemented his spot in Joe Schmidt’s team.
The 27-year-old former Counties Manukau and Chiefs favourite made his debut for Ireland last November after meeting the three-year residency requirement.
Aki is playing for Galway-based Connacht, who he helped to a Pro12 championship grand final win in 2016, and has spoken in the past about how he is enjoying rugby life in Ireland.
He earned his fourth cap against Italy yesterday and scored a try midway through the first half and helped set up two others in Ireland’s crushing 56-19 win.
‘‘I was just so happy to be able to get over the line and help out the boys, and to get the score on the board was a bonus,’’ Aki told Ireland’s Sports-JOE website.
‘‘The crowd has always been unbelievable and loud, and for getting behind us. I think that’s the great thing about putting on the Irish jersey – that the supporters here are very passionate about their team and that is one thing we really take [from them],’’ Aki said.
Aki could be set for an extended run in an Ireland jersey after centre partner Robbie Henshaw was injured against Italy. Garry Ringrose, another talented midfielder,
‘‘He has one big call to make and unfortunately he’s made a terrible mistake.’’
Wales coach Warren Gatland on TMO Glenn Newman