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'How's that a knock on': Bledisloe Cup refs called into question
By Sam Smith
The match officials of the opening Bledisloe Cup test have been called into question following a dubious knock on call against the Wallabies.
In perhaps the sole highlight of a dire, error-ridden first half at Eden Park in Auckland, Wallabies fullback Tom Banks was left red-faced when he attempted to field a lengthy punt from the All Blacks near his own 22.
Instead of making what would normally be a mandatory catch, though, Banks misjudged the flight of the ball as he battled with strong gusts of wind.
As a result, the ball ricocheted off the 27-year-old's face and bounced to the ground, leaving first-five Noah Lolesio to pick up the scraps and boot it clear.
However, referee Paul Williams called play back for a knock on, much to the bemusement of not only Banks, but also plenty of onlookers on Twitter.
Fans took to the social media platform to voice their displeasure over Williams' decision, with one user highlighting how the All Blacks get "the rub of the green" from match officials.
Others saw the humorous side of Banks' misfortune, of which one fan described as "the mother of all falcons".
After scoring a try via rookie wing Andrew Kellaway late in the first half, the Wallabies conceded a try to Sevu Reece on the stroke of half-time to leave them eight points astray with the scoreline reading 16-8 at the break.
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Latest Comments
Yeah nar I pretty much agree with that sentiment, wasn't just about the lineout though.
Yeah, I think it's the future of SR, even TRC. Graham above just now posting about how good a night it was with a dbl header of ENGvSA and NZvFrance, and now I don't want to kick SA or Argentina out of TRC but it would be great if in this next of the woods 2 more top teams could come in to create more of these sort of nights (for rugby's appeal). Often Arg and SA and both travel here and you get those games but more often doesn't work out right.
Obviously a long way off but USA and Japan are the obvious two. First thing we need to do is get Eddie Jones kicked out of Japan so they can start improving again and then get a couple of US teams in SRP (even if one its just a US based and augmented Jaguares).
It will start off the whole conferences are crap debate again (which I will continue to argue vehemently against), but imagine a 6 team Pacific conference, Tokyo Sunwolves (drafted from Tokyo JRLO teams), Tokyo All Stars (made up of best remaining foreign players and overseas drafts), ALL Nihon (best of local non Tokyo based talent, inc China/Korea etc, with mainland Japan), a could of West Coast american franchises and perhaps a second self PI driven Hawai'i based team, or Jagaures. So I see a short NFL like 3 or 4 month comp as fitting best, maybe not even a full round, NZvAUSvPAC, all games taking place within a 6hr window. Model for NZ will definitely still require a competitive and funded NPC!
On the Crusaders, I liked last years ending with Grace on the bench (ovbiously form dependent but thats how it ended) and Lio-Willie at 8. I could have Blackadder trying to be a 7 but think balance will be used with him at 6 and Kellow as 7. Scott Barrett is an international 6 sized player. It is just NZ style/model that pushes him into the tight, I reckon he'd be a great loose player, and saders have Strange and Cahill as bigger players (plus that change could draw someone like Darry back). Same with Haig now, hes not grown yet but Barrett hight and been playing 6, now that the Highlanders have only chosen two locks he'll be playing lock, and that is going to change his growth trajectory massively, rather than seeing him grow like an International 6.
Go to commentsDan Carter is the leading points scorer and leading points per game person for a player with significant tests. 2s RWC winner and member of the games greatest ever team. It's not even close. The only question of GOAT for rugby is whether McCaw deserves it given Carter's numbers.
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