Argentina were controversially denied a draw against England in their Nations Championship clash in Santiago del Estero, following a lengthy TMO check that left the home side furious. The match ended with players seething and officials arguing, as England barely hung on for a 31-24 victory.
Late Drama Unfolds
Los Pumas winger Bautista Delguy thought he had scored in the corner at the end of a pulsating 22-phase attack as Argentina looked for a try that could level the scores, having been trailing England 31-24 in the dying seconds. However, English duo Noah Caluori and Henry Slade did just enough to make referee Angus Gardner go upstairs.
The referee did award the try on-field, but decided to go up to the TMO to check at the end of a dramatic and action-packed match that contained eight tries and seven yellow cards.
Referee and TMO Disagree
"Angus Gardner thinks it's a try so we need evidence that it isn't," said ITV commentator Nick Mullins. After spending a few minutes trying to find a conclusive angle that showed Delguy's left hand hit the touchline before he grounded it, Gardner seemed set to stick with his on-field decision of try.
However, his video referee Brett Cronan was adamant that it wasn't a try. "I'm going frame-by-frame here," said Cronan. "His hand is up at the moment. It's still up and then that ball is then grounded against the corner post and the tryline at the same time, meaning it is no try and the end of the game."
Gardner wasn't convinced, taking issue with his TMO. "No, hang on, are you sure because the on-field decision is a try so we've got to make sure. To me, it looks like it hits the ground first. That looks like a try to me, mate. You've got a HD screen, but that ball looks down to me, mate. It's got to be conclusive evidence to overturn. That looks like a try to me."
TMO Sticks to His Guns
However, Cronan remained adamant that the score shouldn't be given. "That is clearly grounded on the touchline," reiterated the TMO. Surprised by the interaction, Mullins chimed in: "Well, the referee and TMO having a barney about whether Argentina have scored a try to give them a kick to save a draw at the death."
"I don't think the stadium is going to take this very well," said former England wing Chris Ashton on BBC Radio 5 Live. Having then explained his decision to chalk off the try, Gardner blew for the full-time whistle.
Argentina Left Furious
That left the Argentina players furious, with fly-half Tomas Albornoz appearing to make contact with Gardner as he protested the decision. With the home crowd showing their "undisguised fury" as Mullins called it, a member of Argentina's support staff had to step in to keep the players away from Gardner and the other officials.
