'Shouldn't matter': Aussie official breaks silence on Bledisloe 'robbery'
It was the moment that left Wallabies fans screaming "robbery" and potentially ended up costing them a famous Bledisloe Cup win in Wellington.
Jordie Barrett gave the All Blacks the perfect start in last weekend's thrilling 16-all draw, after crossing for a try that should never have been allowed to stand.
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Touch judge Angus Gardner completely missed the fact that Barrett's New Zealand teammate Reiko Ioane had put his foot in touch in the lead-up to the Test match's opening try.
Aussie fans were understandably filthy and even more so when it was pointed out on the telecast that Gardner was one of their countrymen.
Speaking on breakfast radio on Thursday, the Aussie official put his hand up to acknowledge that he'd made a crucial mistake.
But Gardner - who will take charge of Sunday's second Bledisloe Cup Test at Eden Park - said it "shouldn't matter" what country the referees are from when they're all put in charge to do the same job.
“It was just a genuine miss — sometimes it happens at that speed," Gardner told Gold AM’s Country Sport Breakfast.
"Obviously I put my hand up for it.
“We’re there to referee the game whether it’s the All Blacks or the Wallabies or Wellington or Otago or Chiefs versus Crusaders... our job’s just the game.
"It shouldn’t matter who the two teams are,” he added.
Gardner was by no means alone when it came to backlash from viewers after the drawn first Test.
Viewers slam ‘terrible’ refereeing in first Test
Wallabies great Matthew Burke led the outrage against the officiating, labelling the refereeing "terrible" in a view that many shared on social media.
The Aussies came desperately close to sealing a first win in New Zealand since 2001, with Reece Hodge's long-range penalty shot after the full-time siren hitting an upright.
Australia had another opportunity to win the game after regaining possession of the footy from the missed kick, but eventually coughed up possession back to the Kiwis, who then went close to snatching victory themselves.
Burke was left fuming in commentary, however, when an 83rd minute incident from right in front of the All Blacks try line went unnoticed.
The Aussies had possession fifteen metres out from the Kiwi try line when Ardie Savea seemingly joined the ruck from the side and from off his feet - both illegal offences.
A penalty would almost certainly have ended in a match-winning goal from right in front, but the referee kept his whistle in his pocket and the chance went begging for the Aussies.
"He has got to be off-side. Got to be off-side. Oh my goodness," Burke fumed.
"This refereeing has been terrible. Absolutely terrible. I can‘t believe that Sam Whitelock was onside there. What about this shot."
In what world is this not a penalty? #NZLvAUS #BledisloeCup pic.twitter.com/QtO9rZhQC8
— Michael Cole 🇦🇺🐨🏉 (@michaelcole87) October 11, 2020
Spot on. Illegal side entry - the was no legal spill of the ball worth a legal steal at that time . Conscious, apprehended and actual bias by the kiwi ref , who was spectating at this juncture than make the tough factual calls.
— Bush (@BushObeth) October 11, 2020
As an ABs fan, that's a blatant penalty! It should have been called. I called that myself during live play! I don't know what the ref was looking at but that's a deadset penalty. @therugbyruckus @benkimber I hope you guys cover this Morgs and Ben!
— BigWill (@BigWill_Rugby) October 11, 2020
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