'More ruck rubbish': Last second call in Brumbies loss to Blues under scrutiny
Beauden Barrett's drop goal may have sealed the win but had he missed the Blues would have had another chance from right in front due to referee Damon Murphy calling a penalty at what was the last ruck of the game.
After a Roger Tuivasa-Sheck carry, reserve Brumbies back Ollie Sapsford went to compete for the ball over the top of Blues flanker Dalton Papalii who had slipped off his feet.
After a long contest, Murphy decided to penalise the Brumbies after calling for a release of the ball by the defending side. The penalty was not required by the Blues, but the contentious call was reviewed by fans.
Some were of the view Sapsford entered the ruck from the side, others that he was not supporting his own body weight by leaning on Papalii. Those who believed the ruck contest was fair thought the Brumbies should have been awarded the penalty.
On the post-match broadcast, Brumbies captain Allan Alaalatoa said he expected to receive an apology this week from the officials over the calls that saw the home side on the wrong side of a 16-5 penalty count.
"We showed so much heart tonight; our backs were against the wall through the whole game," captain Allan Alaalatoa said on Stan Sport.
"I think some of those were our fault, but mate I reckon we'll get an apology later in the week, some videos (reviewing the penalties).
"We defended our hearts out and I just don't feel we were getting the rub of the green ... but we still managed to be up in the 79th minute."
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wel the crusaders were beaten by a queensland reds side that hadnt beaten them at home since 1999 and queensland reds partied like it was 1999
Go to commentsThink it was a great defensive performance by Northampton. They didn't have stage fright in the first half, the Nienaber defense smothered them. They limited Leinster to 15-3 in the first half. It could have been over by then. A great try from Leinster in the start of the second half looked to have sealed it. But Byrne missed another conversion. Northampton started trying little kicks behind the Leinster wingers. Leinster messed one and Smith brilliantly made the conversion. Leinster decided to tighten the game after Byrne missed a straight forward penalty. A few errors got NH into the 22 and they scored and converted with a few minutes left. Another brilliant steal from Lawes saw NH have a final attack which was turned over by Conan. A classic semi final. World record attendance of 82,300. Leinsters 3 week preparation warranted for this one.
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