Sevu Reece of the Crusaders chips the ball as he is chased by JJ Engelbrecht of the Stormers during the 2019 Super Rugby season. Photo: EPA/NIC BOTHMA
Crusaders ‘forward pass’ that denied Sevu Reece a try vs Stormers [video]
The Super Rugby match between the Stormers and Crusaders at Newlands caused much controversy over a forward pass that denied Sevu Reece a try.
Sevu Reece of the Crusaders chips the ball as he is chased by JJ Engelbrecht of the Stormers during the 2019 Super Rugby season. Photo: EPA/NIC BOTHMA
Another weekend, another draw in the 2019 Super Rugby season. This time, between the Stormers and Crusaders with a bit of added controversy.
Crusaders thought they had scored a fourth try with five minutes left of the round 14 match when winger Sevu Reece scored off his kick-and-chase.
But the South African television match official said there was “compelling evidence” that substitute back Braydon Ennor had made a forward pass to Reece and the score was disallowed.
Replays of the incident suggested otherwise with Ennor seemingly passing the ball backwards out of his hands.
SuperSport TV analysts and former Springboks Robbie Kempson and Gcobani Bobo said a try should have been awarded, which would have given the visitors an eight-point advantage.
Rival skippers Siya Kolisi and Whitelock did not discuss the incident, preferring to dwell on one of the liveliest Super Rugby matches this season.
“The Crusaders brought out of the best in us and the crowd support was awesome,” said Springboks captain and flanker Kolisi.
And in the final minutes, Sam Whitelock shook his head to indicate unhappiness with a last-minute penalty awarded against the New Zealanders at a vibrant Newlands stadium.
Stormers substitute fly-half Jean-Luc du Plessis slotted the kick to salvage a draw, although some of his South African team-mates believed they should have kicked for touch and sought a match-winning try.
Needless to say, social media was somewhat divided over the issue. Let’s take a look, first at some stills.
And now over to the video.
Crusaders forward pass vs Stormers for Reece’s disallowed try
Some social media pundits feel the evidence is clear cut, with opinion divided over whether it was or wasn’t a forward pass.
Those less willing to hide their bias simply said: what goes around, comes around.
One thing is for sure, though, it was one heck of a game, one heck of an atmosphere and it’s shaping up to be one heck of a season.
