Rugby union: After the controversy between Australia and New Zealand, Mathieu Raynal is backed by Nigel Owens

Four days later, controversy continued over the end of the Australia-New Zealand match. And the Catalan Mateo Raynal is still in it.

As a reminder, the international referee whistled a penalty for Australia 93 seconds from the end of regulation time. So the match seems to have been won by the Wallabies (37-34). But Australian opener Bernard Foley takes nearly 40 seconds to hit the switch. And after the first caution, Matthew Raynal decided to punish Australia and Foley by awarding a scrum to the All Blacks. Behind, a well-controlled scrum, and a corner attempt by Jordy Barrett after regulation time. That victory (37-39).

Afterwards, all of Australia protested Catalan’s decision. Opinions differ now. But Nigel Owens, the former international referee at four World Cups, is clear: Clear communication and warning to the player (to tell him to play without wasting time). A fair and solid refereeing decision from Raynal in my opinionwrote on the social network Twitter. Here, it is not for the referee to learn but for the players to play when the referee asks.”

Despite the controversy, Mathieu Raynal will be assistant for New Zealand-Australia this Saturday, September 24 (9:05 am), as Ireland’s Andrew Brace will be at the whistle.