Referees have a challenging role as they are criticized for the choices they make and condemned for the ones they don't.
Despite the advancements in technology, there are still many controversies surrounding their decisions.
In the upcoming pages, we will examine the top five most disputed refereeing decisions from throughout the years.
1. Speargate on the Lions Tour
During the Lions tour of New Zealand, the first game was surrounded by controversy after a dangerous spear tackle was executed on Captain Brian O'Driscoll, causing him to leave the tour within minutes.
Despite the tackle being against the rules, the referee allowed play to continue.
This event had significant consequences in World Rugby, leading to stricter regulations on spear tackling.
2. Mark Cueto's try
Matthew Tait made a brilliant move that broke through the South African defence, and he made a dash towards the try line.
The ball was then quickly passed to Mark Cueto on the left-wing, who broke through the tackle of Danie Rossouw and scored a try.
The referee, Alain Rolland, requested a review from the TMO, and the decision was inconclusive, resulting in a penalty awarded to England instead.
Despite the team's efforts, South Africa's Montgomery was instrumental in keeping England at bay, leading to their 15-6 victory and earning them the title of World Champions.
However, if Cueto's ghost try had been approved, the outcome of the match might have been different.
3. Kick it, Bernard
During a game between New Zealand and Australia in September 2022, Foley received a warning from the French referee for wasting time when he delayed kicking the ball into touch.
Leaked sky cam footage showed that as Foley was running down the clock, the referee stopped play and told him to hurry up before restarting the clock and again urging Foley to continue.
As Foley's teammates frantically gestured for him to get rid of the ball, the impatient referee intervened and gave the All Blacks a scrum put-in. New Zealand then scored through Jordie Barrett on the right flank to secure a 39-37 victory.
4. Sam Warburton's red card
Sam Warburton, a Welsh rugby legend, received a red card in the first half of the 2011 Rugby World Cup semi-final against France.
Warburton, who played as an open side flanker, was shown a red card by referee Alain Rolland in the 18th minute of the match for a tackle on French winger Vincent Clerc that Rolland deemed worthy of a straight red.
The decision was met with outrage from commentators and pundits, but both Warburton and Wales head coach Warren Gatland, while expressing their disappointment, remained gracious in defeat after France secured a 9-8 victory in Auckland.
This controversial decision, which many believe cost Wales a place in the final against the All Blacks, remains one of the most debated calls in the history of rugby.
5. Wayne Barnes - NZ v France 2007 RWC
Many Kiwis still haven't gotten over Barnes' performance in the 2007 RWC quarter-final against France.
Barnes missed a clear forward pass from Damien Traille to Freddie Michalak in the lead up to a France try.
It led to the All Blacks' earliest ever exit from a World Cup.
