Own goals in football are not uncommon. Indeed, a Madagascan team once scored 149 of them in a single game.
Forgot which way they were playing? Not a bit of it. They were protesting against a referee’s decision. As you do.
In rugby, however, ‘own tries’ have been pretty much unheard of.
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But some reckon one was scored in the big Rugby Championship match between New Zealand and Australia on Saturday.
All Blacks lock Sam Whitelock was credited with a five-pointer as his side swept to an emphatic 40-14 victory at Eden Park, but many felt it was an Australian hand which touched the ball down rather than a paw belonging to the giant New Zealand skipper.
“It’s an own try if they give this,” one of the TV commentary team said as the officials assessed replays.
The on-field decision from match referee Andrew Brace was a try, with Welsh TMO Ben Whitehouse finding no reason not to award it. The Gowerton official argued that although Wallaby No. 8 Angus Bell had a hand on the ball, Whitelock had been in possession first as he drove for the line and didn’t lose control.
It’s fair to say the call didn’t please all. Plenty were of the opinion that Bell had touched the ball down.
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One Twitter user, Deng Nguyen, posted: “Angus Bell scores for NZ. That will do for me. He’s a Wallaby. I’m done.”
And South African account Jared Wright was on a similar beat, saying: “Angus Bell, the first player to score an own try in test rugby.”
But NKJrm348 supported the call, saying: “Whitelock did not lose control so fair try.”
What is to be said?
Whitehouse never seems far away from controversy. Another routine day at the office for him, then. Or something like that.
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