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Cape Town - Former South African Test referee Jonathan Kaplan says the Sharks were unlucky not to receive a try from a driving maul in their Super Rugby loss to the Hurricanes in Wellington at the weekend.
With the Sharks trailing 21-17 in the 61st minute, they appeared to score after Marcell Coetzee dotted down following a powerful driving maul close to the Hurricanes tryline.
Referee Chris Pollock referred the decision upstairs and eventually disallowed the try for what he called “changing lanes”.
While the Sharks did score a few minutes later to take a 24-21 lead, they eventually lost the game 32-24.
Kaplan, writing on his website, www.ratetheref.co.za, said he felt the Sharks deserved to be awarded the try.
Apart from that decision, Kaplan felt Pollock had a decent game.
Kaplan wrote: “It was a better performance by the men in black, and perhaps they were a bit stiff when referee Chris Pollock and Aaron Paterson, the TMO, together ruled that obstruction had taken place at a lineout when for all money it appeared that a perfectly good try had been scored.
“I didn’t agree in motion and have not changed my mind. It was a simple transfer-shift lineout move and the opposition were involved.
“The Sharks scored soon afterwards but couldn’t hold on. Barring this call, I actually thought the ref allowed a contest and his game management appeared to be excellent.
“I thought his rulings were very fair, and he gave both teams the chance to play, and win. It just shows how important one decision can be! I thought the ‘Canes were better on the day and just about deserved their win.”
