TMO got it spot on: World Rugby

Rain blurred ref’s view and allowed the fourth official right to make crucial call

World Rugby has backed the controversial decision to disallow England’s late try against the All Blacks in Sunday’s test at Twickenham.

The decision of the TMO Marius Jonker during the final minutes of the test sparked outrage in the rugby community, especially from fans and media in the UK.

However, the Guardian reports that the sport’s ruling body says the controversial call to rule out England flanker Sam Underhill’s late try was the correct one.

“Under World Rugby directives, a TMO trial was introduced for the most recent round of matches to give back responsibility to the on-field referee and it states that ‘try scoring should be an on-field decision with the referee being responsible but the team of four [officials] can all contribute’,” the Guardian reported.

“Although Garce`s was within a few metres of Lawes at the time of the incident, he appeared to go against the directive by consulting with Jonker.

“Allowing Jonker to make the final decision would also seem to contravene the directive that requires ‘ compelling evidence’ for the TMO to intervene with World Rugby considering Lawes to have been marginally offside.

“Ultimately however, the governing body believes a number of mitigating factors meant Garce`s was within his rights to defer the final decision to the TMO, chiefly the poor weather which made visibility of Twickenham’s big screens more difficult.”

■ The will-he won’t-he scenario surrounding Conor Murray has taken another intriguing twist with All Blacks coach Steve Hansen confidently predicting the world-class Ireland and Lions halfback will make a surprise return this weekend.

Murray hasn’t featured since Ireland secured their first threetest series win in Australia in June due to an apparent neck issue.

But with his replacement, Connacht’s Kieran Marmion, injuring his ankle in Ireland’s scratchy 28-17 win over Argentina last weekend, speculation is again rife that Murray could make a return against the All Blacks.

Murray was not selected in Ireland’s November squad with his return instead scheduled to take place with Munster later this month.

But, after their victory over the Pumas, Ireland coach Joe Schmidt revealed he would speak to Murray and assess where he is at, saying it was “highly unlikely” he would feature.

That development — or perhaps some inside oil — led Hansen to suggest on arrival in Dublin that Murray will indeed don the green No 9 jersey this weekend.

“I’m assuming Conor Murray will play so they’ve got a good spine,” Hansen volunteered.

“He and [Johnny] Sexton are two of the best players in the world so they’ll drive them around the park.

“Conor Murray is a real competitor so if he says he’s right to play, he’ll be right to play.”

Pressed on whether he knew for sure, Hansen said no but remained convinced of his view.

“I’m not saying that to stir any trouble — I just think he’s a real competitor, he’ll want to play and, if he’s got a chance, I’m picking he’ll play.

“If it was one of our guys in the same boat, then they’d be putting their hand up.”

Given Murray’s lack of game-time — now sidelined for over five months — throwing him in for the biggest test of the year could be risky with rust and fitness potential issues.

Making every breakdown in a potentially fast-paced test match would be no easy feat, even for someone with Murray’s talents.

“Brodie Retallick hadn’t played too much either,” Hansen said of his influential lock, who was outstanding in the narrow Twickenham victory in his second match back from injury.

“Big players get up. If they think they’re right to play, then let them play.”

Murray scored a try in Ireland’s historic win over the All Blacks in Chicago in 2016, while his accurate box kicks were a factor in the Lions drawing the series here last year.