Northern Edition
Select Edition
Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Debate over Murrayfield scrum finale is still raging days later

(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Days after the result-confirming series of clock-in-the-red scrums at Murrayfield and the debate over whether England should have been awarded a penalty by referee Ben O’Keeffe rumbles on with sub prop Joe Marler the latest to join in. Trailing 17-20, added time in last Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations opener in Edinburgh saw the visitors attempt to wrangle an infringement from Scotland at the set-piece.      

ADVERTISEMENT

The Kiwi official wasn’t buying it, however, and the ball was eventually played away from the base of the umpteenth reset scrum. England were to go on and lose the ball at a resulting breakdown and possession was kicked dead by Scotland skipper Stuart Hogg to confirm his team’s win.

Loosehead Marler was at the coalface for England in that nerve-shredding conclusion, repeatedly packing down against Scottish sub tighthead WP Nel, and while his focus now is most certainly on his team’s round two clash next Sunday away to Italy, he still took time at an RFU media briefing to reflect back on one of the major talking points to arise from the Murrayfield loss.

Video Spacer

Scotland’s search for a Slam, Sir Clives’s Rebuke & The Real Paddy Power | RugbyPass Offload | Episode 20

Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
      Video Spacer

      Scotland’s search for a Slam, Sir Clives’s Rebuke & The Real Paddy Power | RugbyPass Offload | Episode 20

      “Yes, I did fancy our chances of getting a penalty,” admitted Marler, who played 17 minutes as a second-half England replacement for Ellis Genge

      “I was disappointed with at least one of them which I thought on another day might have been given, but I am also very aware of the situation that we were all in. 

      Related

      “It was a very high pressured situation, there was a lot on that call and I can understand that unless someone is being presented a completely and utterly dominant picture they would be less inclined to give the penalty. I’d have liked a penalty. It might have given us an opportunity to draw or win the game but such is life, we tried our best and we will take the learnings from that.” 

      Asked if the penalty he felt England merited would have been given if that same scrum had taken place earlier in the game, Marler added: “Again, hindsight is wonderful. My gut tells me it might have been a penalty 20 minutes in but it was the 83rd minute and there is a lot riding on that.” 

      ADVERTISEMENT
      ADVERTISEMENT

      Classic Wallabies vs British & Irish Legends | First Match | Full Match Replay

      Did the Lions loosies get away with murder? And revisiting the Springboks lift | Whistle Watch

      The First Test, Visiting The Great Barrier Reef & Poetry with Pierre | Ep 6: The Ultimate Test

      KOKO Show | July 22nd | Full Throttle with Brisbane Test Review and Melbourne Preview

      New Zealand v South Africa | World Rugby U20 Championship | Extended Highlights

      USA vs England | Men's International | Full Match Replay

      France v Argentina | World Rugby U20 Championship | Extended Highlights

      Lions Share | Episode 4

      Trending on RugbyPass

      Comments

      5 Comments
      J
      Jay 1259 days ago

      The ref was right. England played for a pen but they weren't quite dominant enough and the Scottish scrum just about held on. Obviously mid game he'd have blown, if only to move the game along. But it has to be clear and obvious when it's that crucial. It's sport, not a courtroom.

      I
      IC 1258 days ago

      If it happened around the 50 minute mark, it's penalty England. O'Keeffe bottled it.

      I
      IC 1259 days ago

      England were absolutely done by O'Keeffe.

      C
      CRZ38L 1259 days ago

      Probably the same way opposing teams feel everytime Owen Farrell gets away with a shoulder charge.

      Load More Comments

      Join free and tell us what you really think!

      Sign up for free
      ADVERTISEMENT

      Latest Features

      Comments on RugbyPass

      S
      SK 40 minutes ago
      Harness Skelton's might and move Sua'ali'i: How the Wallabies can fix things for Test two

      That fighting Aussie spirit really served them well last week when they were down 24-5 early in the second, to rally back to 27-19 and dominate the last quarter was really impressive. I dont subscribe to the thought that the Lions took their foot off the gas. The Lions are not flawless. This group goes through periods in matches where they run riot and then through other periods where their game almost devolves as they try to play too much and lose all momentum falling flat. The strongest most consistent part of their game is their defence. I feel like the weakest part could be their set piece especially that creaky scrum which really should be doing better against Australia. If this Lions side was playing against the Springboks or All Blacks they would not be winning collisions and their set piece would be under serious scrutiny. Australia must try to do better in the collisions and put more pressure on the Lions set piece. They must bring line speed and power to their defence. They cannot afford to give up any soft tries and they must bring urgency at the start of the game. They need to force the Lions to play on their terms and to play from behind. If the Lions race out to an early lead all bets are off, if they keep momentum for a protracted period the game will be up. Australia must spoil, harass, frustrate and compete in every ruck, maul, scrum and lineout. Its time to face the Lions head on.

      34 Go to comments
      H
      Hellhound 1 hour ago
      Steve Hansen: The Boks are 'rolling the dice and so far they’ve got away with it'

      As I said, always blame the ref. The Boks can't win unless the ref helped. It was a hooker and not a prop. You don't even have your facts straight. You just confirmed what I said idiot. Blame the ref for the try😂As for hate? I don't hate the AB's, just some of their fans like you. You don't look at the whole picture. All you see is AB's players. You don't look at the opposition. No, you see what you want to see and then open your mouth, spew drivel and then get heated up about it screaming hate. Yes, the Boks haven't won in NZ in awhile. Boo hoo, cry me a river. That will change. A very strong AB's side barely beat a weak C French team and you think they are in such a good place. I would not bleat such prowess if I were you. The Boks played against much weaker opposition and they were very disappointing. Lots to work on. However, we know what these Boks are capable of. We know what the youngsters are capable of. We know the depth we have and that depth is extreme. Lots of new youngsters bleeding through too. Better than most of the current AB's. Have you watched the URC? No. Japan league? No. English Premiership? No. You watch SR and you are awed by what you see. You think the world will fall at the AB's feet, that they will smash everyone in front of them(couldn't do it to a C French team). You are blind. Foolish. Big mouth and overhyping a team that is already out of time for the WC. At the most 17 Tests left to give players time to shine. Razor doesn't even have a full A team yet. Prospects yes. Possible future stars, yes. The Boks have about 3 teams, and about 3 teams with star studded youngsters that can shift up. What will the AB's do when there is injuries? Red card bans? AB's are good. They always will be. However, they are wafer thin in the talent department. As I said, I love the AB's, just not all its arrogant supporters of which you are one. You get good supporters, not you, and then bad woke idiots, that's you!

      31 Go to comments
      TRENDING
      TRENDING Former Lion offers theory why Chessum call-up led to Genge benching Former Lion offers theory why Chessum call-up led to Genge benching