Dave Beat
Paul McLean (56)
The ref bashing is a bit embarrassing. A handful of fairly minor calls went against us in that first half. They weren't calls that led directly to points. Every ref makes similar calls and similar mistakes in every single game of rugby ever played.
For mine:
Forward pass - looked forward, but Owens queried Barnes about it and Barnes was in a better position than he was (and for that matter, the camera). Looks bad because of momentum and because Milner-Skudder was tackled back immediately after passing. Referees are aware of this though. Was maybe slightly forward out of the hands, but not hugely so, otherwise it wouldn't have gone to chest. I'd say it was a mistake, but the forward pass didn't make Genia give away a stupid and needless penalty at the next ruck. That's what cost us 3 points.
Accidental obstruction - had no impact on any defender whatsoever. Hooper made the tackle easily. Would have been a pedantic call as it had no material effect. Without considering material effect there'd be 50 penalties blown in every match.
Holding onto the pill before the first try - possibly, but he could easily have pinged Fardy for not supporting his body weight, and he was cleaned out fairly quickly. Fardy won a penalty earlier for the same thing when he was not supporting his body weight. These are 50/50 calls.
He missed a knock on near halfway a little before that first try too, but the All Blacks kicked the ball through and we then kicked it out to half way under no chase pressure. It's not like they knocked it on and then immediately made a 30 metre break that led to a try.
These are all pretty small calls that people are blowing up out of proportion because NZ subsequently made a good play to score.
Before all this Kepu was arguably lucky not to be yellow carded after smashing Carter in the face a couple of minutes after he hit him late. There's hundreds of these 'what if' situations in every game.
Agree with all those points, as i said the calls rolled AB's way - Another one was that Pocock head high tackle on in front of the sticks. Sio got pinged for one, but not the AB's.
Best team won, and I don't think the ref impacted the result.
We can appraise a team;
AB's great.
Wallaibies good.
but can't appraise the ref - i think all posts have been fairly accurate.
Across the park AB's were better - to loose 80min man Douglas hurt over recent games he has been one of our best.
Are 6, 7, 8 were again fantastic.