Mike Brown’s “any reason”
At the 71st minute mark of the second test between New Zealand and England, Mike Brown of England sees lots of grass but not many All Blacks in front of him. He steps inside fullback Ben Smith, and is grabbed by scrumhalf Aaron Smith. Cory Jane comes into help and Brown falls in-goal.
Jane appears to have his left wrist under the ball and Brown’s own left wrist seems to be under it also. Either wrist seems to prevent grounding at any given time.
Referee Jaco Peyper asks TMO George Ayoub for a reason why he shouldn’t award the try.
Commentator Grant Nesbitt, Justin Marshall and Ian Smith discuss the matter.
Pause
Mike Brown about to score
Ayoub: I can’t give you a reason why you shouldn’t award the try.
Peyper: I do feel that there is a hand between the ball and the grounding
Ayoub: It’s the English player’s arm holding the ball. It’s not the black player’s arm; it’s the English player’s arm holding the ball……Would you like another look?
Peyper: So you are saying there’s no reason why I can’t award a try?
Ayoub: That’s correct
Nesbitt: You’ve still got to ground it don’t you?
Good point that.
Shouldn’t somebody’s arm/wrist between the ball and the ground be a good enough reason not to award it?
