Nigel Owens yellow cards Ben Smith during the World Cup final. Photo / Getty
Nigel Owens yellow cards Ben Smith during the World Cup final. Photo / Getty
Australian media and television commentators have attacked the World Cup final performance of Welsh referee Nigel Owens, claiming his decisions left many Wallaby fans fuming.
They claimed Owens punished the Wallabies repeatedly in the first half as New Zealand dominated possession and territory.
While accepting some penalties, notably two separate late and high tackles by prop Sekope Kepu on All Blacks star playmaker, Dan Carter, were warranted, the Aussie scribes claimed other decisions from the officials were "frustrating".
The Sydney Daily Telegraph claimed the "dodgiest" call came in the 35th minute, as Owens and assistant referee Wayne Barnes missed a blatant forward pass from New Zealand winger Nehe Milner-Skudder.
Fox Sports commentators also made a big deal of the pass, ironically missed by Barnes who is still to be forgiven by some Kiwi fans after his 2007 World Cup quarter final performance where he was criticised for the same blunder.
"The pass is a mile forward, but not called by Nigel Owens and Wayne Barnes," the Australian commentary team said afterwards. "It's a terrible, terrible decision. It shouldn't happen at this level."
The TV commentators and Aussie scribes also tackled Owens' decision to sin bin Ben Smith for a lifting tackle in the second half, with the Telegraph claiming the All Blacks fullback should "have been treated more harshly".
"The only option here is a red card," said Fox Sports' caller and former Wallaby Rod Kafer.
Australians woke up to headlines such as "Referee punishes the Wallabies in World Cup final" but the Daily Telegraph did have some praise for the winning New Zealanders under the headline: "Black Magic - Aussies falls short of ultimate comeback".
Image 1 of 20: Fans gather as the All Blacks arrive at Twickenham Stadium for the Rugby World Cup Final. Photo / Brett Phibbs
The Sydney Morning Herald took a softer view, ignoring any Owens commentary and instead lauding the courage of the Wallabies in the face of a relentless black wave while also paying tribute to New Zealand and Dan Carter's "masterclass" performance.
Georgina Robinson wrote that the Wallabies "will be justifiably proud of their spirited fight but will also rue an error-strewn first half when the occasion appeared to drown out their voice".
"Michael Cheika talked throughout the tournament of the Wallabies playing their music. They did so too late, and their run of seven straight Test wins appeared to fold in front of their eyes, as New Zealand reduced their trans-Tasman foes to spectators with two tries, two minutes either side of half-time.
"It was the final that was meant to be, if sport has anything at all to do with destiny and not a series of moments, small battles, stitched together. New Zealand won far more of them when it counted, most damagingly throughout the first half. It was the last time the world would see Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith and Kevin Mealamu in an All Blacks jersey, and a fitting climax to their brilliant Test careers, not least of all a 42nd-minute try to Nonu."
"But how the Wallabies made them work for their place among the giants. In a compelling World Cup final, the Wallabies lost two men in the first half to cruel injuries and were on the canvas early in the second half before rousing themselves to frighten four million New Zealanders. Australia can be proud.
"The physicality they faced from the opening minutes was ferocious. Israel Folau was completely smashed under the first high ball, blood was running from Stephen Moore's nose within two minutes, and Michael Hooper was hammered by Conrad Smith. The result was a flood of turnovers, not from one All Blacks source but from a variety.
"Only the breakdown brilliance of Hooper, David Pocock and Scott Fardy managed to keep the All Blacks at bay as the waves of runners kept coming, all with footwork and all with pace."
Chris Dutton, also writing in the Herald, said Carter's swansong was one of the great match-winning performances of the year.
"It was the stage fit for a hero and Dan Carter stepped up for New Zealand as the champion playmaker erased the injury heartbreak of missing the All Blacks title four years ago," he wrote.
"While New Zealand captain Richie McCaw is yet to make a call on his All Blacks career, Carter knew the 34-17 was his last game in the famous jersey.
"It was a fitting way for Carter to finish his international career as he prepares for a move to France which will make him the highest-paid player in the world when he joins Racing Metro on a deal worth more than $2 million per season.
"Carter showed he was worth every cent with a 19-point haul that spearheaded New Zealand's charge and he will undoubtedly go down as one of the game's greatest five-eighths."
