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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Alex Young

New Zealand demand World Rugby review refereeing decisions in World Cup final loss to South Africa

Losing World Cup finalists New Zealand has asked World Rugby to explain some of the officiating decisions made during their defeat to South Africa.

The All Blacks saw captain Sam Cane sent off in the opening minutes for a high tackle - his yellow card upgraded to a red upon review - of the 12-11 Springboks victory, which featured three further yellow cards.

South Africa captain Siya Kolisi was yellow-carded five minutes into the second half for what appeared to be a similar shoulder-to-head collision with Ardie Savea.

New Zealand were also confounded when an Aaron Smith try was cancelled by the Television Match Official for a knock-on on the other side of the pitch.

"We've sent a number of - we've already sent a file into World Rugby for them to make a few comments on," coach Ian Foster told New Zealand media with a wry smile.

"Hopefully they do."

Foster declined to comment on which areas of the game the All Blacks were specifically interested in.

"Oh, I think you can guess," he said.

The final was Foster's last match as All Blacks coach, with Scott Robertson set to take over.

Having returned to New Zealand from France, one of Foster's last duties will be a review of the All Blacks' performance with his coaching staff, which players will likely be spared from.

"It probably won't be officially (with players). It certainly will be by me and my coaching group," he said.

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