To strictly answer to your 4th paragraph: No. when a game is over, it's over whatever the mistakes occurred or not.
But as said above, we should not censure ourselves, dear armchair refs, to debate and discuss about any decision. #couscous and rugby can match together OR maybe we could all agree on everything.
Personally, i continue to raise an eyebrow with Owens ref decisions, this article offers a certain insight.
You perfectly know that controversy, fight, cheating will sell more clickbaits than a straight a formidable performance ;) Just look at Leinster formidable match vs Sarries article... with 0 comments.
I dont think there is anybody blaming Toulon loss on Owens, Trinh duc horrific kick was the justification of this loss. Toulon can only blame themselves to throw away a victory they had in their pockets.
But, i'm more annoyed to read people who always put Owens in a "dont blame him" step, and allow themselves some unfair critics towards others refs.
To bounce on your question, will we ever be able to say that sometimes refs do mistakes, shit happens and move on... or will we always say "you know it's a question of interpretation" and close eyes?
Well, if the only explanation of Nigel Owens describing that "Zebo push was upward... so unintentional" is sufficient for you, really, better to stop here and move on.
Brock James competed for the ball with Bosch, win the contest and then knocked the ball out of the pitch.
Result: Yellow card + penalty try... because a try would have been scored even if Bosch was not able... to score.
When Zebo was innocently trying to catch the ball with one hand at full speed... by punching it (just before OR simultaneously) Ashton grabbed it with both hands.
Result: No intent, knock-on toulon, scrum munster.
In the kingdom of the blind, the one-eyed are kings. (and i speak for both of us)
One advise though, don't sanctify every Nigel decision. As said @mise, the fact he balanced up the game on some 2nd half decisions is already an admission of his mistake.
Controversies? I can only notice one controversial call.
Murray try: Guirado slightly knocked on the ball, then Murray used all his experience to attract Owens attention. Try. No controversy.
Toulon try: Bastareaud pass was more flat than a clear forward pass. Game on, try, No controversy.
Zebo punch: This one is very polemic. Zebo was never in position to grab the ball, and clearly punched the ball. And the fact Ashton would have touched it first does not make any difference.
(Law 23 foul play) A player must not attempt to kick the ball from the hands of the ball-carrier. Penalty.
And when an act of foul play prevents a try...
(Law 3 penalty try) A penalty try is awarded between the goal posts if foul play by the opposing team prevents a probable try from being scored, or scored in a more advantageous position. A player guilty of this must be cautioned and temporarily suspended or sent off.
Regarding the law, it should have been a penalty try and yellow card.
Regarding Owens, there was nothing.
Regarding french fans, they will say "french rugby has many problems, Nigel Owens is often one."
It's a former french frontrow preconizing the kick in the head for any intruder (here mccaw)who would dare to put his hands on the ball or opponent legs in the wrong side of a maul.
TEN reset scrums in ten minutes leads to Tigers try
Only ten minutes of reset? Com'on Wayne, you can do better.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uF36pmWdWus
View Video
1 Week, 2 Days ago
Controversies galore as Munster knock out Toulon with brilliant late try
To strictly answer to your 4th paragraph: No. when a game is over, it's over whatever the mistakes occurred or not.
But as said above, we should not censure ourselves, dear armchair refs, to debate and discuss about any decision. #couscous and rugby can match together OR maybe we could all agree on everything.
Personally, i continue to raise an eyebrow with Owens ref decisions, this article offers a certain insight.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2018/04/05/nigel-owens-now-much-celebrity-referee-big-games/
2 Weeks, 1 Day ago
Controversies galore as Munster knock out Toulon with brilliant late try
You perfectly know that controversy, fight, cheating will sell more clickbaits than a straight a formidable performance ;) Just look at Leinster formidable match vs Sarries article... with 0 comments.
I dont think there is anybody blaming Toulon loss on Owens, Trinh duc horrific kick was the justification of this loss. Toulon can only blame themselves to throw away a victory they had in their pockets.
But, i'm more annoyed to read people who always put Owens in a "dont blame him" step, and allow themselves some unfair critics towards others refs.
To bounce on your question, will we ever be able to say that sometimes refs do mistakes, shit happens and move on... or will we always say "you know it's a question of interpretation" and close eyes?
2 Weeks, 2 Days ago
Controversies galore as Munster knock out Toulon with brilliant late try
Well, if the only explanation of Nigel Owens describing that "Zebo push was upward... so unintentional" is sufficient for you, really, better to stop here and move on.
Anyway, hold your guinness for Nigel.
https://twitter.com/adrian0_adrian/status/980835337093214208
2 Weeks, 3 Days ago
Controversies galore as Munster knock out Toulon with brilliant late try
So if i follow you well....
Brock James competed for the ball with Bosch, win the contest and then knocked the ball out of the pitch.
Result: Yellow card + penalty try... because a try would have been scored even if Bosch was not able... to score.
When Zebo was innocently trying to catch the ball with one hand at full speed... by punching it (just before OR simultaneously) Ashton grabbed it with both hands.
Result: No intent, knock-on toulon, scrum munster.
In the kingdom of the blind, the one-eyed are kings. (and i speak for both of us)
One advise though, don't sanctify every Nigel decision. As said @mise, the fact he balanced up the game on some 2nd half decisions is already an admission of his mistake.
The last word to Brian O'Driscoll https://twitter.com/BrianODriscoll/status/980164211627225088
2 Weeks, 3 Days ago
Controversies galore as Munster knock out Toulon with brilliant late try
Same ref, different outcome
https://youtu.be/10mNjrV1Ox4 (at 1:15)
View Video
2 Weeks, 3 Days ago
Controversies galore as Munster knock out Toulon with brilliant late try
Controversies? I can only notice one controversial call.
Murray try: Guirado slightly knocked on the ball, then Murray used all his experience to attract Owens attention. Try. No controversy.
Toulon try: Bastareaud pass was more flat than a clear forward pass. Game on, try, No controversy.
Zebo punch: This one is very polemic. Zebo was never in position to grab the ball, and clearly punched the ball. And the fact Ashton would have touched it first does not make any difference.
(Law 23 foul play) A player must not attempt to kick the ball from the hands of the ball-carrier. Penalty.
And when an act of foul play prevents a try...
(Law 3 penalty try) A penalty try is awarded between the goal posts if foul play by the opposing team prevents a probable try from being scored, or scored in a more advantageous position. A player guilty of this must be cautioned and temporarily suspended or sent off.
Regarding the law, it should have been a penalty try and yellow card.
Regarding Owens, there was nothing.
Regarding french fans, they will say "french rugby has many problems, Nigel Owens is often one."
https://youtu.be/10mNjrV1Ox4 (at 1:15)
Ref must respect the law, but fans must respect the ref interpretation of the law, even when if it's a bad one.
View Video
2 Weeks, 4 Days ago
Jacob Stockdale picks up Player of the Championship after breakthrough campaign
I was much more cautious to discover someone like Carbery, Ringrose or Larmour, i didnt know this one. Up to him to confirm.
A bit sad to watch the "public vote" follows the football trend: score to win prizes.
3 Weeks, 4 Days ago
Bismarck du Plessis slaps Florian Fritz repeatedly but stays on the field
It's a former french frontrow preconizing the kick in the head for any intruder (here mccaw)who would dare to put his hands on the ball or opponent legs in the wrong side of a maul.
Radical but efficient.
4 Weeks, 2 Days ago
Bismarck du Plessis slaps Florian Fritz repeatedly but stays on the field
Just a slap? Let's bring back the "coup de pied dans le citron"
French posters will get it ;)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkgkSRcjWAY
View Video
4 Weeks, 2 Days ago