Referee Damon Murphy took a tumble when the Melbourne Rebels hosted the NSW Waratahs on Friday evening. Despite the rain pounding down, both sides had a full go in this Australian Super Rugby derby.
Not long into the match, and trailing by a try, the Waratahs launched an attack in midfield but were swiftly driven back by a thumping tackle from flanker Michael Wells.
Just as Tom Staniforth was being driven back at a rate of knots, second row Rob Simmons found referee Murphy in his path to the breakdown, so gave him a solid shove.
WATCH: Referee gets it comically wrong as thumping hit produces cards blooper
Murphy, a former Australian 7s captain and Melbourne Rebels player, took the shot well and unlike other incidents we’ve seen in the past, made absolutely no fuss about it.
Instead, he simply blew the game up as he had missed the action, and commented: “I’ve been absolutely belted. I didn’t see anything.”
Common sense and fair play to him for not making a bigger deal out of it.
The Rebels had a try denied but led 8-3 at halftime, and went on to win 24-10.
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