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Cape Town - The controversial penalty try which Western Province coach Allister Coetzee felt was the "turning point" in his side's 31-all draw with the Golden Lions at the weekend, dominated discussions at Monday's briefing session in Bellville.
VIDEO: Controversial TMO decision
Initially, Coetzee was reluctant to express his views, but later declared that there was a "blatant knock-on" before Lions' fullback Marnitz Boshoff reached for the tryline in the second half of their Currie Cup match at Ellis Park.
The Lions were awarded a penalty try by referee Jaco Peyper, acting on the recommendation of TMO Willie Roos, who advised that a penalty try be awarded and WP tackler Damian de Allende be yellow-carded.
"It should not have come to that (the referee asking the TMO to check if a try was scored), because there was a blatant knock-on in front of the try-line," said Coetzee.
"It is a blatant thing that has gone on unnoticed, and it led to the turning point in the game.
"And then Damian gets yellow-carded when it wasn't foul play.
"He didn't do anything wrong.
"The yellow card left us playing with 14 men on the Highveld.
"It is so important to have 15 players on the field."
Coetzee said officials at this level should get it right.
"This had happened right in front of the assistant.
"We all want to ensure that the viewers out there understand what is happening (on the field), and we should guard against decisions becoming too technical."
Meanwhile, Rynhardt Elstadt was among the several WP players who sat out Monday's training session.
"Rynhardt didn't train, but it was a precautionary measure," said Coetzee.
"He and a few others need time to recover (from niggles), but he'll be fine to play against the Sharks at Newlands on Saturday.
"Demetri (Catrakilis) trained with a red bib, and that was to indicate that he is not ready to be tackled.
"He hasn't fully recovered from injury, but he is learning our playing systems and he needs more time before he is up for selection."
Coetzee said that on reflection, the team's line-out performance was disappointing and it was one area which would be worked on this week, ahead of the Sharks clash.
"Our line-outs were disappointing, but I was pleased with the way we scrummed," said Coetzee.
"We were disappointed with our overall display, because we do not normally concede more than two tries in a match.
"This week at training we'll be mindful that the Sharks have a very good kicking game.
"Their gameplan is very clear and they're not easily engaged."
