OWEN FARRELL’S CONTROVERSIAL tackle on South Africa’s Andre Esterhuizen ought to have been a penalty, according to the referee who initially spared the England fly-half any punishment.
England were leading 12-11 at Twickenham earlier this month when, with the clock having ticked beyond 80 minutes, Farrell put in a strong, shoulder-led challenge on the Springbok.
On-field official Angus Gardner consulted the TMO but decided there was no foul play, allowing Farrell and England to celebrate a narrow triumph to kick off their November series.
Farrell’s challenge caused widespread debate and, with the benefit of hindsight, Gardner believes he should have awarded the visitors the penalty that would have offered a chance to kick for the posts and snatch victory.
“I think in hindsight now, having discussed it with some other referees…I think the general consensus would be that a penalty was probably the outcome there that should have been given,” the Australian, crowned Referee of the Year at the World Ruby Awards, told the Will Greenwood podcast.
“I think we need to see a wrap with both arms, and I think in hindsight – although he got pinned – there wasn’t a big enough wrap from both arms, really. There was a wrap with one arm, but there wasn’t a wrap with the other arm.”
When asked why that had not been his opinion at the time, Gardner said: ”The angles that I saw with the TMO, which were the head-on angles, showed a clear wrap of the front arm, but it was the back arm which got pinned.
“Of the angles that I was showed in the stadium at the time, that seemed to me to be enough of a wrap for me to constitute a legal tackle.
It was never high and so all we were looking at was the tackle technique. The collision itself also kind of swayed my decision because it was a big rugby collision and we see these hits in the game.
“We don’t always get it right and we understand that there are going to be decisions that are going to heavily influence the game. At this level the expectation is that we do get it right – and that’s what we’re striving to achieve – but we don’t always.
“I suppose that’s the best way, just to be honest about it. If I made a mistake, I’ve got to put my hand up and say I was wrong, and hopefully if I see that again then I’ll know where I’m heading.”
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He must have been the only person on the field who thought it was not a penalty. He won’t say it but he chickened out..
@Tom Reilly: definitely a chicken. However craig joubert in 2011 WC final was the biggest of them all. Should have been banned for life as referee for clear bias.
The Rfu got you setup with the nicest dinner out and such a comfortable hotel the night before. Same referee contraversy after every England home game.
And what do you know? World Rugby reward him for the mistake by giving him referee of the year. Where is the accountability for these yobs?
@Conor Alexander Lynott: He’s a good ref – let’s not castigate him for one mistake
@Conor Alexander Lynott: you can’t judge a refs entire year based on a single decision. That’d be like picking the best out half based on a single conversion. The standard of international refereeing was poor for most of the games this season
@Kevin Ryan: once referred an u-10 hurling match, made about 4 bad decisions in 40 mins, anyone whining and moaning about refs should try it, it’s bloody difficult
@Conor Alexander Lynott: And do you remember who the ref was for England v Ireland at Twickenham this year? Didn’t work out too badly?
@Kevin Ryan: Yep, I do Even as an Irishman, I felt Gardner should have sinbinned Aki for a shoulder charge on Elliot Daly.
@Conor Alexander Lynott: He made a mistake, everyone makes mistakes. I think he deserves a lot of credit for actually coming out and saying he made a mistake.
@Kevin Ryan: incase you forget he also red carded Benjamin Fall against the Kiwis this summer
@TheHospitalPass: I had forgotten that. Maybe he’s past his peak
@Ronny Phelan: Surely your TMO was to blame??
Referee is still lying as far as I’m concerned, there is no wrapping from any arm when the hit goes in.
https://youtu.be/_8UPC1Lr_NQ
Wrap with the other arm my eye Farrell made no attempt whatsoever to put either arm around him in fact i would say he went out of his way to keep both arms out of the tackle
Farrell learned from the best. Wilkinson’s tackling technique was so suspect that it resulted in a complete revision in the tackling rules. Farrell has adjusted it and weaponised his technique. Funny that the telly did not replay some of the suspect hits from the Japan. Owen must sell loads of replica jerseys.
The 42 commenters should be appointed to the World Rugby referee committee. They obviously know it all.
It was more than just a ‘wrong call’. He bottled it. Nothing to do with interpretation, just incredibly weak and cowardly officiating. Zero character.
i understand that refs can be put under huge pressure but how in the world could he mess that up. imo it was bordering on a red card, yellow at the absolute minimum.
I know this is going slightly off topic but against the ABs courtney lawes was a mile offside glad jerome garces had a bit of of sense
Is there no role for a citing officer for situation like this (dangerous play) ?
Absolute rubbish from Gardner… cop out..
That was a savage, brutal & illegal tackle.