Owens, alongside former Wales international Jamie Roberts, delved into the nuances of what constitutes a deliberate knock-on. "Forget the one hand because players can catch the ball with one hand, we see them in the lineout, it’s a great skill when players can do it," Owens explained. He emphasized that the key factor should be whether the player was in a realistic position to regather the ball. According to Owens, not every deliberate knock-on warrants a yellow card; it depends on what transpires immediately after the incident, such as a potential line break or overlap.
"Do you think that player had a realistic opportunity of regathering the ball?"
Roberts supported Arendse's case, suggesting that the player should not have been penalized. Echoing this sentiment, Owens revealed that World Rugby and the officials involved now believe the incident should have been ruled as a mere knock-on without the intervention of the Television Match Official (TMO) leading to a yellow card. "They feel that he could have regathered that ball, it was unlucky he didn’t, hence it was a knock-on," Owens stated.
However, Owens acknowledged the complexity of these situations, referring to them as a "grey area" that needs more clarity. He advocated for clearer guidelines to alleviate the pressures on referees making these split-second decisions.
"It’s a bit of a grey area that I would like to see them tighten up a bit more and [have a bit more] consistency on."
This call for clarity is not just about refining the rules but also about ensuring the essence of the game is preserved, balancing fairness with the dynamic nature of rugby. As the debate continues, the insights from seasoned experts like Owens are invaluable in shaping a more consistent and fair approach to officiating in rugby.