frustrated Steve Hansen has questioned whether TV producers are influencing rugby games following several controversial incidents during the All Blacks' 24-21 win over England this morning.
Repeated replays on the big screen of Dane Coles lashing out with his boot, and also Charlie Faumuina scoring a try, incited the 82,000-strong crowd at Twickenham to roar their discontent and, as a consequence, referee Nigel Owens stopped the game to demand TMO Simon McDowell see what all the fuss was about.
Welshman Owens prevented Beauden Barrett from attempting a conversion of replacement prop Faumuina's try in the second half, calling for McDowell to inspect footage of the movement.
The TMO said the try should stand.
Repeat showings of prone All Blacks hooker Coles foolishly lashing out with his boot in the 56th minute, when he whacked England captain Chris Robshaw at the back of a ruck, whipped the crowd into a near-frenzy and eventually he was yellow carded.
Last month the All Blacks lost to the Springboks in Johannesburg when Liam Messam's high tackle on Schalk Burger was repeatedly screened at Ellis Park, resulting in the officials unexpectedly reviewing the incident and issuing a penalty that was kicked by Patrick Lambie.
Hansen also questioned whether visiting teams are being unfairly maligned by the TV crews.
"My biggest concern is that the TV producers are starting to have an influence on the game. It is not the away side [that are being advantaged] I might add.''
The crowd also howled with discontent when replays of Aaron Cruden's try were shown; although the All Blacks first five-eighth was adamant he scored, some angles were less convincing than others.
On that occasion Owens, who didn't even consult with the TMO and immediately gave the five pointer, refused to listen to the crowd's complaints.
Hansen suggested that rather the broadcaster's employees being allowed to influence the game, the power be placed in the hands of the coaches or captains.
"When something goes wrong we see a replay 10 times and the referee hasn't seen it, the touch judge hasn't seen it, the TMO hasn't seen it - then we need to bring in a challenge, so if a coach has seen it he can challenge for it or if a skipper has seen it he can challenge for it.''
This, he emphasised, would be a much fairer outcome for both teams. Hansen also believed the human element of the game shouldn't be removed and people must accept mistakes will be made.
"If they don't see it we don't need a TV producer to replay something 100 times. That is not in the spirit of our game.
