Nigel Owens has backed referee Matthew Carley's contentious decision to overrule the TMO during New Zealand's win over South Africa last weekend, despite the backlash from Springbok supporters.
Controversial first Test in Johannesburg
Last week's first Test in Johannesburg was a contentious one, with New Zealand ending a 12-Test winning run for the Boks with a 33-16 victory. Afterwards, many fans and pundits - including Springboks legend Victor Matfield - took issue with the number of calls they felt went against the back-to-back world champions.
One in particular that proved contentious was the decision to not penalise All Blacks captain Ardie Savea for a tackle on opposite number Jasper Wiese.
Owens explains the high tackle law
Home fans were baying for a card after TMO Mike Adamson intervened to check a possible high tackle following a breathless passage of play. However, Carley decided that there was no foul play - instead giving Springbok Marco van Staden a yellow card for an infringement near his own line. Moments later, Cobus Reinach joined him in the sin-bin - with the All Blacks scoring another try to make the result safe.
Given how the match largely turned on that moment, Carley's call to overrule Scottish official Adamson was a massive decision - but one that Owens felt was correct.
“To be fair to the TMO when I was watching that live, I thought, ‘Oof, they’re going to check this’ because it looked high,” he said on World Rugby’s Whistle Watch.
“First of all, let’s look at what a high tackle is; a tackle above the line of the shoulder and making contact with the head or neck. What happens after that is degree of danger, head-on-head, shoulder-to-head, then you go into the yellow or red card zone.
“Then they look at it. The key thing for me is this, the initial contact seems to be right on the shoulder and the South African number eight’s head goes forward into the New Zealand player because of the force of the tackle.
“Just remember, an upright tackle is not illegal as long as you’re not leading with the shoulder. An upright tackle is legal unless there’s contact with the head or neck.
“There isn’t that direct contact with the head or neck here so it’s unlikely they will identify this as foul play.”
Savea lucky but decision followable
Owens did add that Savea, who will lead the All Blacks in the second Test in Cape Town on Saturday, was fortunate - given he had gone into the tackle upright.
“He’s very lucky because if he had been an inch higher and it’s direct contact to the head, you’re probably looking at a 20-minute red card but, to be fair, a strong on-field decision by the referee,” he added.
“The key for me is the ball carrier’s head goes into the tackler rather. I would say a very followable decision here.”
This weekend's match in Cape Town could prove just as contentious. The All Blacks have had some clarity from World Rugby over their scrums, following a spate of Springbok penalties early in Johannesburg. However, referee Nika Amashukeli was forced to pull out through illness - leaving Angus Gardner to take charge on Saturday.
