Wales seek Owens’ advice over Halfpenny controversy

WALES have held talks with Nigel Owens in the wake of the controversial incident which resulted in Leigh Halfpenny being concussed.

And the matter is set to be on the agenda when the world’s top referees gather in London today to discuss the Tests which have already taken place this autumn campaign.

The Welsh camp are angry with New Zealand referee Ben O’Keeffe’s decision not to card Australia star Samu Kerevi after he collided with Leigh Halfpenny during last Saturday’s clash at the Principality Stadium.

Halfpenny was laid out and had to be substituted by the follow-through of Kerevi after the centre attempted to charge down the full-back’s clearance. He was later diagnosed with concussion.

Wales coach Warren Gatland described the incident as “reckless” and believes it could have resulted in Kerevi being sinbinned.

But O’Keeffe, much to the surprise of Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones and the management, described it as an accidental collision and didn’t even award a penalty.

Wales took up the matter with Owens at a meeting on Monday with forwards coach Robin McBryde revealing: “Nigel came in and went through the game.

“It’s not the first time we have asked Nigel to do that. He does it from his own point of view as well. It was a good, healthy discussion and one of the things we discussed was that incident with Leigh. That’s been dealt with now and I know the referees are meeting in London tomorrow to discuss things. So we will wait to see what the outcome of that meeting is.”

McBryde declined to elaborate on the full content of the talks with Owens, saying he would first have to get the permission of the world’s leading whistle-blower before going public.

Halfpenny failed a head injury assessment in the wake of the 9-6 triumph over Australia. He would have probably been rested for Saturday’s clash with Tonga in Cardiff but has suffered from concussion in the past and will not be allowed to face South Africa the following weekend unless he passes stringent ‘return to play’ protocols.

Wales are expected to make mass changes for the clash with Tonga with McBryde saying: “Everybody who puts the red shirt on during this autumn campaign leading into the next year realise they have to grab this opportunity with both hands.

“The nature of the competitiveness of this squad and you consider you have a couple of worldclass players not available through injury who are going to come back into the mix.

“We took a lot of heart from making 10 changes from Italy in the Six Nations and getting a good victory,

“This autumn is a little bit different because we are two wins from two. We have got quite a bit of momentum from the Australia game and it is vitally important we keep that through to South Africa next week.”

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