Mark Cueto's 'no-try' voted worst refereeing decision in Rugby World Cup history
Rugby NewsMonday, 31 October 2022 at 18:57
In world rugby, the referees have one of the toughest jobs. Every one of their decisions could have a major impact on the outcome of the game, and possibly the season.
Every referee has to make difficult decisions and will get criticized at some point in time by players, coaches and most often, the fans.
The best referees around are those who can live with criticism and can make the correct decision most of the time.
However, there have been a number of blatant blunders by officials in the past.
Here are, according to a poll of rugby fans, the three worst decisions made at Rugby World Cup's.
Worst Rugby World Cup Decisions:
#3. Craig Joubert - Scotland v Australia RWC QF 2015
Scotland fans still haven't forgiven Joubert for erroneously awarding Australia a late penalty.
The play should have seen the Wallabies been given a scrum feed, instead Bernard Foley kicked the goal and Australia went to the semis after a 35-34 win.
In addition, Joubert was also criticised by former Scottish captain Gavin Hastings and former Scotland winger Kenny Logan for rushing from the field immediately after the match ended, rather than shaking hands with the players and fellow officials, as is the tradition.[
Craig Joubert facts:
- Joubert took up refereeing in 1995 as a teenager, when he was encouraged to do so by his father Des, who was also a referee at provincial level.
- He initially worked in corporate banking for a period of five years, before deciding to take up full-time refereeing, becoming a member of the Kwa-Zulu Natal Rugby Referees' Society.
- He retired from refereeing 15-a-side matches at the end of 2016 to take up a role as a Referee Talent Development Coach at World Rugby
- Joubert became the youngest referee to ever referee a World Cup final in 2011
#2. Wayne Barnes - New Zealand v France 2007 RWC
Many Kiwis still haven't gotten over Barnes' performance in the 2007 RWC quarter-final against France.
Barnes missed a clear forward pass from Damien Traille to Freddie Michalak in the lead up to a France try.
It led to the All Blacks' earliest ever exit from a World Cup.
After New Zealand were knocked out of the quarter-final, Bebo profiles were created by some New Zealand fans dedicated to criticism, and abuse, of Barnes.
Comments on Bebo and other internet sites, including death threats and personal abuse, were condemned by the International Rugby Board and New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark
Wayne Barnes facts:
- Barnes started playing rugby at the age of eight, and took up refereeing aged 15 with Gloucester & District Referees
- In 2001, at the age of 21, Barnes became the youngest referee ever appointed to the Panel of National RefereesIn 2001, at the age of 21, Barnes became the youngest referee ever appointed to the Panel of National Referees
- In January 2022, Barnes refereed his 250th premiership rugby match
- When not on the pitch or working with the England team, Barnes is a practising barrister
- In 2013, Barnes sent off Northampton captain Dylan Hartley for calling him "a fucking cheat"
Wayne Barnes: Toughest player to referee - Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
BARNES SAID: “Richie always had the knack of asking the right question at the right time, sometimes it felt like I was losing a little bit of control. Contrary to popular belief, he didn’t talk a lot on the field. He knew the law book inside out and so when he asked a question, he often had a point.”
#1. Alain Rolland - England v South Africa 2007 RWC
Matthew Tait sliced open the Boks defence and hurtled towards the line. Andy Gomarsall moved it quickly to Mark Cueto on the left wing who dived through the tackle of Danie Rossouw and over the line.
Alain Rolland called for the TMO. It was tight. Impossibly tight. No try.
England were instead awarded a penalty which Wilkinson slotted, and roused by Cueto’s diving effort they had the momentum.
But the Springbok nut was impossible to crack. Montgomery’s boot kept a huffing and puffing England at bay, guiding his side to a 15-6 win.
South Africa were deserved World Champions, England the plucky, dethroned former kings.
But if Cueto’s ghost try had stood, it all could have been so different.
Alain Rolland facts:
- During his playing days as a scrum-half, Rolland earned three caps for Ireland
- Rolland retired as a player at the start of the professional era and began refereeing
- In March 2016 Alain was appointed as World Rugby's 'High Performance 15s Match Officials' Manager', having previously worked as a mortgage broker in Dublin
- He refereed the final of the 2007 Rugby World Cup, and was an assistant referee in the final of the 2011 Rugby World Cup
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