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Fleck mum on TMO call

Cape Town - Stormers coach Robbie Fleck has distanced himself from the controversial penalty try that was awarded to the Sharks in his side’s 18-13 loss at Newlands on Saturday.

Trailing 10-3, the Sharks were awarded a penalty try early in the second half when scrumhalf Cobus Reinach had the ball dislodged while he was reaching for the line by Siya Kolisi’s boot.

TMO Marius Jonker deemed Kolisi’s infringement to be deliberate, and he not only awarded the penalty try but sent Kolisi to the sin-bin.

It was a moment that undoubtedly changed the game as the Sharks got the momentum and wrestled the match away from the Stormers.

“That call was made … if Siya has done it intentionally then it’s a penalty try and if he hasn’t then it isn’t,” said Fleck after the game.

“He (Kolisi) was upset … he obviously felt that he didn’t do it.”

When asked what his personal opinion on the matter was, Fleck repeated himself.

“I’ll say it again … if Siya has done it intentionally then it’s a penalty try and if he hasn’t then it isn’t.”

Asked how big a turning point that moment was, Fleck said he had backed his side to restore their lead.

“We played well enough in that first half to be the dominant team … I guess it allowed them back into the game. But credit to them, they defended very well,” said Fleck.

“At 10-10 I always felt that we could turn it around.”

The Stormers are next in action when they host the Brumbies at Newlands on Saturday, while the Sharks travel to Pretoria on Friday for a date with the Bulls.

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