Nigel Owens has spoken out on the incident (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Former rugby referee Nigel Owens has attempted to shed light on star Taulupe Faletau’s contentious disallowed try against in the over the weekend. In the dying minutes of the clash, Scarlets’ Blair Murray carved through the Scottish defence with an impressive run, before setting up Faletau for a what would have been a sensational try.
With Wales rallying for a comeback, this try, if successfully converted, would have given them a shot at turning the game on its head. However, referee Andrea Piardi, after consulting with TMO Eric Gauzins, decided to rule out the try, insisting that Murray’s leap over Will Hurd was an illegal act.
The decision left spectators bemused, questioning why jumping to cross the try-line is permitted, yet evading a tackle in the same manner is not. Owens has now intervened to clarify the decision, insisting that Piardi’s call was correct by the letter of the law.
“It’s different if you are jumping or diving to score a try as it’s deemed your actions are to score the try rather than jump to avoid a tackle,” explained Owens on social media, responding to a comparison with Tom Rogers’ eye-catching touchdown against Ireland – where Rogers leapt past James Lowe to score.
“I watched the game in the City Arms today, the decision was met with a reaction of disbelief and laughter. That is not a good look for the sport,” commented one Welsh rugby fan on Owens’ point.
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Blair Murray was ruled to have jumped over a challenge (Image: BBC)
While this may have been legally cleared up, many other rugby fans have questioned the rule itself and whether it is in the spirit of the game. Some drew parallels with NFL, where Murray’s athletic feat would have been celebrated.
“Well, rugby has gone well and truly soft, to disallow that try for Faletau,” tweeted dual code Wales legend John Devereux. “This is where rugby will fall behind and become stagnant. NFL would spread that all over social media and attract fans. Poor law that,” posted one rugby enthusiast.
“We have found the worst law in rugby for that Wales try to be disallowed. Meanwhile, NFL showcases the play of the season being Saquon Barkley jumping backwards over a tackler. What a joke,” another added.
Some have called for more consistency in the enforcement of the rules, citing a video of French star Antoine Dupont leaping to evade a tackle in the Top 14 two years ago.
Wales did manage to score a try against Scotland eventually, but sadly it was not enough. Gloucester centre Max Llewellyn made a breakthrough at 84 minutes, with Jarrod Evans successfully kicking the conversion to secure a losing bonus point.
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