1
'It's just inexcusable... hopefully something happens to the TMO'
By Kim Ekin
Connacht head coach Andy Friend has lashed out at 'an inexcusable' refereeing mistake that dented his side's chances of a rare Thomond Park away win against, which was denied the Westerners in the URC over the weekend.
Connacht had been the better team for much of the Irish inter-provincial derby, but a try before halftime saw Munster go into the interval a point ahead.
Replays of the try show that at least two Munster were players ahead of kicker, Munster standoff Joey Carbery, who launched a crossfield kick to the left wing in the 40th minute.
Munster second row Tadhg Beirne - who was clearly offside - got a boot the ball before it was eventually touched down by backrow Chris Cloete.
The try was awarded.
On small things do such matches swing. Connacht did fight back and managed to get ahead once more in the second half, only for Munster to dash their hopes with a late try.
“I’ve got to be careful, I’ve been here three and a bit years, mate, if it’s a 50-50 I rarely see it going our way,” said Friend following the game. “I know that, but listen we’ve got to keep pushing our limits and making sure that we’re trying to be as squeaky clean as we can with things. I’m just . . . to me, that try and the missed offside there – that’s inexcusable.
“Whether it’s Connacht or somebody else, I don’t know, it’s just inexcusable.”
Friend - a former Australian Sevens coach - said there was little recourse with the URC to address that type of decision.
“We don’t have a referees’ manager, so I’m assuming that URC will be looking at that and hopefully something happens to the TMO that missed it. But it doesn’t help us, mate.”
It's been a tough start to the URC campaign for Connacht. The Galway-based side have just one win against the Bulls so far this season, having been beaten by the Dragons at home the weekend before last.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Saints boss Dowson reacts to controversial Care incident
3
The simple way to prove Boks also hold the 'unofficial world title'
4
Fissler Confidential: Radwan eyed to replace exit-bound England wing
5
Latest Comments
I guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
Go to comments