All BLack Damian McKenzie and Chris Ashton of England lunge for the ball during the Quilter International match between England and New Zealand at Twickenham Stadium yesterday. Photo / Getty Images
All BLack Damian McKenzie and Chris Ashton of England lunge for the ball during the Quilter International match between England and New Zealand at Twickenham Stadium yesterday. Photo / Getty Images
It was a thrilling game of rugby when the All Blacks beat England 16-15 at Twickenham yesterday but a late decision to rule out an England try has left the UK media reeling. Here's some of the best reaction:
Stephen Jones (The Times)
"England had the victory they deserved snatchedaway from them in the dying moments when Marius Jonker, the television match official, ruled out what would have been a sensational winning try by Sam Underhill, after Courtney Lawes had charged down a kick by TJ Perenara and completely bamboozled Beauden Barrett to score.
"The referee awarded the try which means that any decision by the television match official must prove a clear and obvious infringement. The replay clearly showed Lawes onside, with Perenara taking an age with his kick. There was nothing clear and obvious whatsoever and the referee really should have taken charge."
"So close. So gut-wrenching. Yet also promising and uplifting, even if England came up short. Eddie Jones implored his men to be directors of the movie, not bit-part extras.
"The England head coach got what he wanted. It was the movie that Twickenham wanted, too, a thriller that could have been scripted by Alfred Hitchcock, even if it left them bereft. The call went against Courtney Lawes for offside as he blocked a kick by TJ Perenara on the 10m line. It looked a tight decision, too tight for the circumstances, and England had every right to feel aggrieved."
Paul Rees (The Guardian)
"Another one-point game here tilted by a referee after reviewing an incident. England held on against the Springboks last week after an Owen Farrell challenge was deemed within the laws, but a South African television match official, Marius Jonker, scratched Sam Underhill's try five minutes from the end.
"There have been more popular calls made here and boos resounded after the final whistle, but this was a proper test played in demanding conditions that showed the recovery powers of New Zealand and the resources of England."
Nik Simon (The Daily Mail)
"Eddie Jones told his players to write their own Hollywood movie but they came up with a classic heartbreak story. England were inches away from a famous victory. In the end, the result went to script. Make that 84 wins in 94 tests for the All Blacks under Steve Hansen, whose side remain top of the tree."
