A brutal forearm to the head of Owen Farrell went unpunished with the TMO coming under fire for not recommending the referee take a second look.
Steve Borthwick’s men claimed third place at the Rugby World Cup for the first time after an entertaining, if stop-start, 26-23 victory over Argentina at Stade de France.
The England captain expressed his grievances to referee Nic Berry, stating: “mate, he’s lifted his arm right into my chin.”
Reacting to the incident, one fan wrote: “A hard watch although the TMO needs to get his eyes tested if he didn’t see that forward pass or the forearm smash on Farrell. As for Cheika, he can’t have any more toys left in his pram!”
A second said: “Ben Whitehouse a joke there. Clear forearm by the Argentinian into Farrell. Away from body and swings it.”
Another commented: “Officials got that wrong with the forearm in Farrell’s face. Bottled it as it’s 3 points in it with 1 minute to go”
Forearm on Owen Farrell:
Speaking about the game, Farrell said: “It was tough, very tough. We started the game really well, got on the front foot, were really physical and made some inroads, but it didn’t end up being a game like that.
“Argentina were always going to play a big part in that and it was pretty scrappy thereafter. We did what we needed to do to grind out a win.
“We want to show this team fight for every minute of the game. In a scrappy game like that, we proved that again.
“Last week we didn’t quite get there but we wanted to finish off this tournament right. It’s been a big chapter of our journey this year and it’s the end for some people, so we wanted to make it a good end for them.”
Join our Breaking News and Top Stories WhatsApp community
Join our Breaking News and Top Stories WhatsApp community for all the latest news direct to your phone.
If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘exit group’.
“Absolute stinker 2/10″ – Three players who flopped for England against Argentina
Questions now loom over several players’ futures as they prepare for the 2024 Six Nations.
#1. Henry Arundell
Telegraph 3/10: “What a waste of talent. From five tries against Chile to not touching the ball until 50 minutes when he miscued a kick and gave away a penalty.”
Rugby Dump 2/10: “First touch he gave away a penalty after 48 minutes, poor lad. Second touch was a kick to nowhere. Could have been given a 10 rating if he got the ball, we’ll never know.”
Mail Online 4/10: “At last given a chance to start. You wanted to see him in possession but, frustratingly, it just didn’t happen. Not all his fault but needs to look for the ball more. Didn’t receive a pass from a team-mate.”
Planet Rugby 4/10: “I mean, what was the point of him being there? England just didn’t give him the ball as he spent his evening chasing kicks. Such a shame “
Rugby Pass 2/10: “Took 48 minutes to touch the ball only for his scuffed kick to tempt Will Stuart offside despite Arundell making his catch. His only other note was getting flat-footed around halfway at the start of the move that led to the first-half Argentina try.”