Interesting. We agree on the detail but my response, if I were managing the ref appointments, is that ref would be benched and guided toward creating better flow in the game. It's a high expectation for sure, but something I hope for in a test.
What were your thoughts on the video ref?
I'd blame the players far more than the referee for there not being better flow in the test. The Wallabies were poor and aside from a couple of really good passages I'm not sure the Springboks were amazing. They were pretty brutal in attack and defence particularly in the first half and that really had us struggling for territory and possession. We generally needed to kick when we got the ball and the rare times we had the ball in their half we tended to make an error or give away a penalty (e.g. neck roll, high cleanout).
The conditions also weren't great. It was pretty wet. Combined with the fact the Wallabies played half the game without a proper backline made it difficult.
I was at the game and haven't watched a replay so haven't listened to what the TMO said. The intervention with AAA's high clearout wasn't unreasonable and it was a good decision for it not to be yellow carded. The neck roll from Porecki was definitely correct.
Was anyone's overall impression of the game that it would have been fast and free flowing if not for the referee? It certainly wasn't mine. It was frustrating sure, but my frustration was certainly with how poorly the Wallabies played.