Ire v NZ 5mins 58sec elapsed:
Law 15.4 a) The Tackler must immediately release the tackled player.
A penalty try should have been awarded against Beaudon Barrett for not releasing Sean O'Brien
immediately as a try would probably have been scored. Rory Best, knowing the Laws queried this with the Referee. However, being from the Southern Hemisphere, and thus not understanding Rory's accent (or less probably the Rugby Laws), ignored the Irish Captain. Thus began an evening in which the Irish Team were ill-served by the Match Officials. It was not to be the last occasion.
Ire v NZ 9mins 58sec elapsed
Law 10.4e. A player must not tackle (or try to tackle) an opponent above the line of the shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders. A tackle around the opponent’s neck or head is dangerous play.
A penalty and probable Yellow Card offense, based on the most recent "Interpretation and Clarification issued by World Rugby on high tackles. However, the TMO indicates to the Referee that he does not consider the offence intentional. Mr Hansen, subsequent to the gme, blames the offence on the fact that both players are moving at high speed. There is no equivocation in either the Law or the World Rugby Interpretation about speed of players or intent.
Ire v NZ 13mins 42 sec elapsed
Law 9.A When an attacking player is first to ground the ball in the opponents’ in-goal, a try is scored.
The Referee asks the TMO Mason "
Can you see a clear grounding?" Mason replies, "I can see a clear grounding." The Ref asks "Can you see a clear grounding on the grass?" Mason replies "Yes".. This last response is untrue as it is not possible to absolutely confirm from the TV Pictures, even magnified by 40% that the ball is in contact with the grass as first Barrett's arm obscurs the view and then Sexton's arm obscurs the view of ball with grass.
Incidentally, Sexton grasps Barrett's right shoulder from behind with his hand, in his initial contact. At no time does his arm encircle Barrett's head or shoulders. It is unlikely, given that Barrett is moving the same direction as Sexton that this could be judged a dangerous tackle.
Ire v NZ 22mins 43 secs elapsed
Law 10.3 b) Repeated infringements by the team. When different players of the same team repeatedly commit the same offence, the referee must decide whether or not this amounts to repeated infringement. If it does, the referee gives a general warning to the team and if they then repeat the offence, the referee cautions and temporarily suspends the guilty player(s).
Sanction: Penalty kick
A penalty try must be awarded if the offence prevents a try that would probably otherwise have been scored.
On this occasion, a 5m scrum has been awarded to Ireland following an attack over the NZ line which is held up without the ball being grounded. NZ have already conceded 3 penalties within 5m of their line during the first 20 mins of play but the Referee has not issued a general warning to the NZ team. At the scrum, which is driven towards the NZ goal line by the Ireland pack, the ball is at the feet of Heaslip when first Cane (No 7) and then Reid (No
break from the NZ scrum and attempt to prevent the ball being played by Heaslip within the Irish Scrum. This infringes Law 10 a) and Law 10b) as both Foul PLay and repeated infringement. Once again, the Referee refuses the request of Irish Captain Best to review the infringement.
These particular instances are graphic demonstrations of the ineptitude of the Officials and the cheating of the NZ Team, which goes unpunished by the Officials. Highlighting them will not change the result, but it may provide a clear trace of the evidence which World Rugby should review, in conjunction with Match Officials to ensure that Referees and other Match Officials are called to account