DECISION PENDING

In a blow to rugby’s already glacial pace, officials have confirmed that there will be no Television Match Official available for the second test between the All Blacks and France in Wellington, due to them being caught up reviewing a try from 1905.

The try in question came during the All Blacks’ historic “Originals” tour of the British Isles and France, which took place 120 years ago and was somehow deemed “still under review”.

After a busy week reviewing a forward pass from the All Blacks World Cup quarter-final in 2007, tomorrow night’s TMO has been rewinding dusty old film from last century and studying a grainy still frame of a man in a woollen jersey falling over the tryline.

“He might have bobbled it. Or it might’ve been a defect from the deteriorating film. You just can’t tell with 1905 camera angles. I’m not sure the ruck was legally formed either” the TMO confirmed.

The footage, which required a crank-operated projector and the assistance of a local museum curator, has reportedly been watched over 300 times in slow motion.

The TMO then began winding the reel once again and analysing a ruck infringement for the fifteenth time.

“And none of the players are numbered either. I’ve spent the past 72 hours trying to determine whether the guy with the handlebar moustache was onside at the breakdown. I don’t think I’ll be able to make a decision on this until early next week, so I’ll have to miss tomorrow’s test in Wellington.”

Fans are looking forward to a free-flowing test between the ABs and France now that there will be no over the top interventions from upstairs.

More to come. 

The post TMO Will Miss Tomorrow’s Test After Getting Stuck Reviewing All Blacks Try From 1905 appeared first on The Whakataki Times.

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

All Blacks fans and traumatised players from the 2007 World Cup squad are feeling a sense of vindication today.

The TMO from Saturday’s test against France has decided to use his official powers to rewrite history. After ruling out three of the home side’s tries on Saturday, the television match official is now looking at the alleged French forward pass during the All Blacks’ infamous quarter-final of the Rugby World Cup 18 years ago. 

The favourites of the tournament were upset 20-18, in a game where Wayne Barnes was criticised for missing an extremely obvious forward pass, ultimately leading to the AB’s being knocked out of the tournament.

Luke McAlister who scored in that infamous match spoke to reporters.

“Yeah wow, finally. That’s been nagging me for 18 years. A horrible game, horrible memories and damn horrible grey jerseys. At least something good can now maybe finally come of it. It was a mile forward,” said McAlister, who was also controversially yellow carded in that game.

Asked how he heard the news, McAlister said: “Mils Muliaina texted me ‘Bro, the TMO’s going back in time’. I thought it was a piss-take. But then I saw what he did on Saturday night to the boys in Dunedin and thought, well if he wants to get the right result, then by all means do so, even if it’s 18 years too late.”

NZ Rugby officials have welcomed the development but urged caution.

“We’d like to remind fans that unfortunately, if the try is ruled out, the game will not be replayed and France will not be disqualified from progressing to their semi-final from 2007. We will still remain as quarter finalists and have our earliest exit ever. We do however welcome the possible news that the forward pass missed by touch judges and Wayne Barnes, was indeed forward.”

More to come. 

The post TMO Now Taking Another Look At Forward Pass From World Cup Quarterfinal in 2007 appeared first on The Whakataki Times.