TV blame game is a repeat
EDDIE JONES might wish that World Rugby had kept their noses out of ‘Trygate’ but the game’s rulers have form in hanging their officials out to dry.
Television Match Official Glenn Newman was the victim this time as they said he had dropped a clanger by not awarding Gareth Anscombe a try for Wales in the 23rd minute of their 12-6 defeat by England on Saturday.
At the 2015 World Cup, World Rugby dumped referee Craig Joubert in it when they said he made an error in Scotland’s narrow 35-34 quarter-final loss to Australia.
They ruled that Joubert should have awarded a scrum to Australia instead of the penalty that knocked Scotland out of the tournament. This time they have blamed New Zealander Newman, who
❑ was not due to officiate WASPS centre in any more Six Nations Kyle Eastmond games, for failing to has been banned for award Wales the try. six weeks after pleading Their statement read:
guilty to two charges “World Rugby has clarified to the Wales for dangerous tackles team management as against Harlequins. part of the usual review process with teams that the TMO made an error in the application of law during the England versus Wales match at Twickenham.
“In accordance with law 21.1b Wales should have been awarded a try as the Wales player grounded the ball.”
Wales assistant coach Rob Howley said: “It was good to have dialogue with World Rugby. Alain Rolland [match officials manager] confirmed the TMO had made a mistake. It has happened – it is disappointing that it happens in professional sport.”
Jones insists the matter should be consigned to history. He was also at pains to point out that World Rugby had done this before.
He got on with the day job yesterday as England hosted Georgia in a training run at a West London school. Anthony Watson and Owen Farrell, who sat out the session with unspecified leg injuries, are expected to be fit to face Scotland a week on Saturday but Exeter No8 Sam Simmonds will miss the game, and the one with France a week later, with shoulder trouble.
Jones also revealed that Elliot Daly had suffered another calf injury, which is why he was left out of the current camp, which kicked off yesterday with a live scrummaging session against the heavyweight Lelos pack.
Georgia gave England’s forwards a thorough workout. “Georgia were just the sort of scrum we needed – strong, scrummed in a different way,” said Jones. “They had the superiority early on and we came back well. They scrum for a living and our guys learned a number of different things.
“They found different ways to exert pressure and with the new laws it’s finding new ways of exerting pressure without moving their feet. Georgia are very good at that.” Jones last night released seven players from the camp. Luke Cowan-Dickie, Nick Isiekwe, Zach Mercer, Sam Moore, Marcus Smith, Denny Solomona and Gabriel Ibitoye have returned to their clubs.
Meanwhile, France coach Jacques Brunel has axed eight players for “inappropriate behaviour” during a a night out in Edinburgh on Sunday following France’s 32-26 defeat by Scotland. Alexandre Lapandry, Arthur Iturria, Anthony Belleau, Felix Lambey, Jonathan Danty, Remi Lamerat, Louis Picamoles and Teddy Thomas have all been chopped from the squad.
Wales internationals Jonathan Davies, Gareth Davies and Jake Ball have all signed National Dual Contracts tying them to the Scarlets.