Game value offence?

Newcastle Falcons were denied a potential try against Saracens earlier this afternoon through Vereniki Goneva, after the Fijian fooled not only the opposition – but the referee as well.

The incident occurred in the 20th minute of their Premiership clash, after playmaker Owen Farrell’s attempted drop goal failed. Goneva took the ball and looked to have touched down for a 22 drop-out. But turns out he didn’t.

The Fijian instead touched the ball off his foot, and made a break for Saracens’ try-line, having ‘dummied’ the touch down. But referee Iam Tempest had already blown the whistle and judged Goneva’a trickery to be a “game value offence.”

Former England international Ugo Monye however, was far from impressed with the referee’s decision

“I’ve always dreamed of faking putting the ball down and looking at the ref!”

“Game value? For a dummy? That’s nonsense!”

What do you think? Was Goneva robbed?