The 5 most controversial rugby refereeing decisions of all time - Page 5 of 5 - Ruck

The 5 most controversial rugby refereeing decisions of all time

5. Third test of the British and Irish Lions 2017 tour

The ball comes forward from Liam Williams and Ken Owens momentarily catches the ball before dropping it. Referee Romain Poite immediately signals for a penalty for a deliberate offside, and in such a kickable position the series looks to be New Zealand’s.

After demonstrations from the Lions’ captain Sam Warburton, Poite decides to ask the TMO to check the incident.

After talking to the TMO Poite seems to be happy with his original decision that it was a deliberate offside and therefore a penalty, but by the time he has walked over to the two captains, his view has changed and he deems Owens’ intervention to be accidental and therefore just a scrum.

Make your own mind up. Did Read fairly challenge Williams in the air? Did the ball come forward off Williams? Was Owens’ contact accidental or deliberate?

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