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Referee Owens 'wasn't focused', Hansen claims
By Iain Strachan
All Black coach Steve Hansen feels referee Nigel Owens got 'caught up in the festival atmosphere' of the Barbarians match at Twickenham.
The Welshman took charge of the 2015 Rugby World Cup final, won by the All Blacks against Australia at the same venue, and is one of the most respected officials in the sport.
He shared some jokes with the players and tried to encourage a free-flowing contest in the exhibition match, but Hansen feels Owens was not quite at his sharpest as a consequence.
"It was a festival game wasn't it, and he is like the rest of us," Hansen told a news conference.
"He's fallen into the trap of getting caught up in it. He did a good job - I'm not saying he didn't, but there's no doubt in my mind that he wasn't as focused as he would have been if it was a Test match.
"The crowd that came here wanted to see the rugby that was played and they wanted to see tries, hence why they clapped and then booed when the try under the post wasn't awarded. It's difficult for a player to get their head around that and it's also difficult for the ref."
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Latest Comments
"Survive"? "Scare?" A bit dramatic. ABs always going to win, just a matter of by how much.
The Azurri were up for it though. As expected. You can bet they were planning for this specific test for months. Let's not forget they were pipped by ENG, drew with FRA, & beat both SCO & WAL in the Six Nations in Feb/Mar this year.
A mess of a match, good win, considering.
Go to commentsAfter you. And yes, that's exactly what Penney should do. Stat!! Unfortunately he has one year left on his contract.
Penney's Super Rugby win record was a low 23% before we signed him on. At the top was Razor at 84%. And true to form, Penney took us from a 7-peat to not even making the play-offs in ONE season. No excuses. LOSER. Thank God his contract is up next year. And hopefully Rangi might wanna throw his hat in for the job.
In the meantime, hopefully we can crack the top 6 this year in spite of Penney!??!
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