HENRY’S ARGENTINA ROLE COULD COME BACK TO BITE

Sir Graham Henry says the All Blacks gave him ‘‘ closure’’ after their huge win over France in this Rugby World Cup. He added that it would erase the painful memories of losing to France in 2007. confirmation of what viewers saw. The referee made a huge, irreparable mistake in awarding the last-minute successful penalty against Scotland.

Under the rules, that was only one of his two options. A penalty for an accidental offside. A yellow or red card if intentional. On that latter issue he was fully entitled to go to the television match official (TMO). If that had been done, surely it would have been a scrum

However, his peace of mind may not yet be confirmed.

Argentina halfback Martin Landajo hails Henry for his country’s current success, by ‘‘masterminding an attacking revolution’’ during Henry’s to Australia.

It is common when a referee goes to the TMO for his initial query to be no longer relevant because of viewing, more calmly, a different situation he did not first observe.

He then deals with the correct factual situation. This happened with New Zealand against France, when the referee was about to penalise New Zealand for holding on to the ball. But the TMO consultancy role to Argentina in 2012. How painful would it be, then, if their current flair, attributable to Henry, puts the ABs out of the Rugby World Cup?

GERRY CUNNEEN

Khandallah

instead showed Richie McCaw punched/kissed by a French player. So the referee audibly and correctly reversed his decision and gave the All Blacks a penalty.

Justice delayed is justice denied, but here it was worse as the Scots’ entitlement to the semifinals was permanently denied. But a powerful Scots moral victory remains.

GORDON CRUDEN

Palmerston North