Steve Hansen was asked this week if he would consider putting the series trophy on the line for the All Blacks’ dead rubber against France on Saturday. The answer was unequivocal – “We’ve got it, so we’ll keep it” – while pointing out the decision is not his to make, but the very fact the question is being asked demonstrates the contentiousness of the series.
On paper, New Zealand have won it with room to spare, scoring 52 points in the first Test before prevailing 26-13 in the second to take an unassailable 2-0 lead with the third to come in Dunedin, but the scorelines do not begin to tell the story.
Written by Gerard Meagher
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/jun/21/referees-world-rugby-new-zealand-france-clarity-laws under the title “Referees caught in middle of World Rugby’s lack of clarity on laws | Gerard Meagher”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
