Zebo and Ferris question officiating for Leinster try against Munster
Brendan Of Photo Side's By Munster Van Scores Flier Moment: Josh Der Third Moran/sportsfile Big Against Try His Leinster
Both Simon Zebo and Stephen Ferris thought Leinster's third try in their victory over Munster at Thomond Park should have been looked at by the television match official.
Leinster were leading 14-7 when Josh van der Flier touched down in the 53rd minute, taking the air out of a resurgent Munster who had been held scoreless in the first half. In the build-up, Leinster second row James Ryan popped a pass to Caelan Doris while laying on the ground after a ruck had been formed.
"You see James Ryan carries the ball, there's a ruck, there's a clean, there's a counter ruck, he's still got his hands on the ball, and then all of a sudden, it's almost like he picks it back up again and throws it off the ground," former Ireland international Ferris told Premier Sports.
"Even if he had still had full control of it, I'm not sure because there's a ruck already been formed, it's already been played, but he's allowed to throw the ball off the ground.
"That was a big moment in the game, and if it was looked at, it could easily have been swung around and a penalty given to Munster."
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Josh van der Flier goes over and extends @leinsterrugby's lead against Munster 🔵 pic.twitter.com/WkmBBQPeiX
Zebo called the officiating "inconsistent".
"That's what we were saying before the game about Mack Hansen's comments," said Zebo.
"So inconsistent, and they don't even have a look at it, Tadhg (Beirne) runs over to the ref straight away, flailing his arms... just have a look, or cue your TMO to have a look - you don't have to interrupt anything, you let the game keep going, if you think it's a try, OK, carry on, and let the TMO have a proper look at it. It's just inconsistent.
"It was such a momentum shift when they scored that try, and it's so deflating for Munster, that defence, trying to keep them out, and if you commit a crime like that, then you should be punished.
"Tadhg and Gavin Coombes, they both ran over trying to make their claims, but the ref didn't want to know, 'I have my full trust in the TMO'... Leinster still would have won the game, but I think Munster would have been able to stay in the fight a bit longer, without having these errors from the TMO and refs."
Ferris added: "Ryle (Nugent) and Alan Quinlan both acknowledged it on commentary straight away, as soon as Josh went under the post for the try.
"You'd think, sitting in the truck, the TMO would be able to listen in to different opinions as well because it's not just about exactly what you think, if there's somebody else in the periphery, commentators - I know they're maybe not supposed to listen to every word that they say - but that's an example where (maybe they should)."
"They don't even have a look at it!" 🗣️@SimonZebo and @StephenFerris6 on the decision to award Josh van der Flier's try without getting the TMO involved pic.twitter.com/sb6yGteUXK
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) December 27, 2024