Questioning Decisions

NOVEMBER 2012 All Blacks flanker Adam Thomson was yellow carded for stamping on the head of Scotland opposite Alasdair Strokosch. He was subsequently banned for one week at his judicial hearing, prompting British media to express their outrage.

A few prominent journalists tweeted World Rugby boss Gosper directly to ask what he would do. He replied: “The IRB [World Rugby] will review this case as it is a match under our jurisdiction. If we decide to take action we will make it public.”

A day later World Rugby called for the ban to be reviewed. NOVEMBER 2009 Wales made a strong break into All Blacks territory with 10 minutes remaining of their 2009 clash in Cardiff. As reserve halfback Martin Roberts assessed his options, Dan Carter tackled him – initially hitting him in the chest before his arm rode up to the neck.

There was no action taken and Gatland was furious after the game, suggesting on TV immediately after that referees were scared of the All Blacks. JULY 2017 French referee Romain Poite got things entirely wrong in the last minute of the third test against the British & Irish Lions by awarding the All Blacks a scrum instead of a penalty.

He wrongly denied the All Blacks a chance to go for the win. A few weeks later World Rugby intervened to question a decision about Sonny Bill Williams’ suspension period. The governing body said it was surprised the independent panel considered the All Blacks ‘game of three halves’ to be a ‘proper game’.