A group of prominent rugby commentators in Australia have strongly defended their impartiality following the contentious conclusion of the Brumbies vs. Crusaders match in Canberra. Former Wallabies player Morgan Turinui was particularly critical of the officiating, particularly concerning the missed knock-on by Crusaders’ Sevu Reece, which played a crucial role in the game’s outcome, allowing the Crusaders to secure second place on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder as they head into the finals.
Turinui observed that while New Zealand referee James Doleman may not have seen the incident clearly, Kiwi assistant referee Fraser Hannon, stationed at a great vantage point, should have made the correct call. He also expressed frustration that TMO Richard Kelly was unable to intervene, as Reece’s knock-on did not directly lead to the winning try.
“I could have gone a lot harder,” Turinui remarked, labelling the missed call as “disgraceful” during the show “Between Two Posts” on Stan Sport. He highlighted the professional nature of the competition, arguing that referees, like players, should be held accountable for their performance.
Lead commentator Sean Maloney also commented on the backlash from fans across Australia and New Zealand. He suggested there’s a misconception that Australian commentators are merely complaining because the result was unfavourable. He added that if similar situations occurred in New Zealand favouring an Aussie team, their commentators would likely voice the same concerns.
The Brumbies, now in third place, missed out on a home semi-final after suffering a close 33-31 defeat. It’s worth noting that no Australian team has won a combined Super Rugby competition since the Waratahs did so in 2014. Despite the loss, Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham displayed grace in defeat, ultimately appreciating the passion from fans regarding the match.
Turinui noted the online uproar highlighted that people still care deeply about the game, with many Australian fans expressing their support and relief that the commentators are beginning to acknowledge such critical officiating errors. There is a prevailing sentiment among Australian fans that their teams are consistently on the wrong end of 50/50 decisions.
Matt Burke, a Wallabies legend and newcomer to Stan Sport, reiterated the commentary team’s commitment to professionalism, asserting the need to be honest about blatant errors for both teams involved.
Stan Sport reported a 27% increase in average viewership for the Super Rugby season, with free-to-air audiences on Nine also rising by 13%. Turinui concluded by stating that both Australian and New Zealand fans appreciate the balanced coverage they provide, celebrating the quality of rugby across all teams.