In a fiery outburst, Vodacom Bulls coach Johan Ackermann demanded answers after a pivotal try by David Kriel was nullified in the dying minutes against the Scarlets. The disallowed score, which came from an impressive sequence capped by Willie le Roux's cross-kick, initially seemed to seal the game for the Bulls in the 76th minute. However, the celebration was cut short as the TMO flagged a controversial forward pass earlier in the play, overturning the try as flyhalf Handré Pollard prepared for the conversion.
"I felt we scored a great try," expressed a visibly frustrated Ackermann post-match. The decision to retract the try stirred confusion regarding the extent officials can revisit plays, with Ackermann pointing out, "At the moment, for forward passes, we’ve got it that you can only go back two phases. I think there were three or four phases involved."
"Depending on what hat you put on, you will say it is a forward pass,"
Ackermann remarked, challenging the call and seeking clarity on the ruling.
The delay in the TMO's intervention also irked the Bulls' coach. "The frustrating thing is they let so much time go past," he noted, emphasizing the nearly expended minute for Pollard’s conversion setup before the review was initiated, a delay which often isn’t compensated for in the game clock.
Despite the setback, the Bulls managed to clinch a narrow 23-21 victory, thanks in part to Pollard's decisive penalty in the 79th minute. Ackermann conceded that the win mitigated some of the sting from the controversial call, admitting, "We’re on the right side of the result, so you take it a bit easier." Yet, he acknowledged that the outcome could have intensified the scrutiny had the Bulls lost.
Ackermann's comments underline an enduring frustration with the consistency and timing of officiating decisions, a sentiment echoed across competitive rugby spheres. The Bulls' ability to secure a win despite the controversy speaks to their resilience and strategic command under pressure, traits they will continue to rely on as they navigate the competitive landscape of the United Rugby Championship.
With the season progressing, the Bulls remain focused on refining their gameplay, undeterred by the challenges posed by officiating intricacies. As Ackermann aptly put it, "Even with that disappointment and going all the way back, we still did enough to get the territory, the possession and the penalties to win the game."
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In a fiery outburst, Vodacom Bulls coach Johan Ackermann demanded answers after a pivotal try by David Kriel was nullified in the dying minutes against the Scarlets. The disallowed score, which came from an impressive sequence capped by Willie le Roux's cross-kick, initially seemed to seal the game for the Bulls in the 76th minute. However, the celebration was cut short as the TMO flagged a controversial forward pass earlier in the play, overturning the try as flyhalf Handré Pollard prepared for the conversion.
"I felt we scored a great try," expressed a visibly frustrated Ackermann post-match. The decision to retract the try stirred confusion regarding the extent officials can revisit plays, with Ackermann pointing out, "At the moment, for forward passes, we’ve got it that you can only go back two phases. I think there were three or four phases involved."
"Depending on what hat you put on, you will say it is a forward pass,"
Ackermann remarked, challenging the call and seeking clarity on the ruling.The delay in the TMO's intervention also irked the Bulls' coach. "The frustrating thing is they let so much time go past," he noted, emphasizing the nearly expended minute for Pollard’s conversion setup before the review was initiated, a delay which often isn’t compensated for in the game clock.
Despite the setback, the Bulls managed to clinch a narrow 23-21 victory, thanks in part to Pollard's decisive penalty in the 79th minute. Ackermann conceded that the win mitigated some of the sting from the controversial call, admitting, "We’re on the right side of the result, so you take it a bit easier." Yet, he acknowledged that the outcome could have intensified the scrutiny had the Bulls lost.
Ackermann's comments underline an enduring frustration with the consistency and timing of officiating decisions, a sentiment echoed across competitive rugby spheres. The Bulls' ability to secure a win despite the controversy speaks to their resilience and strategic command under pressure, traits they will continue to rely on as they navigate the competitive landscape of the United Rugby Championship.
With the season progressing, the Bulls remain focused on refining their gameplay, undeterred by the challenges posed by officiating intricacies. As Ackermann aptly put it, "Even with that disappointment and going all the way back, we still did enough to get the territory, the possession and the penalties to win the game."