Steve Hansen Calls For Rules Reform Following Controversial Final Test Decision

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has appealed for rugby’s rules to be simplified.

Hansen says a wrong call from referee Roman Poite cost the All Blacks a deciding Test win against the British and Irish Lions on Saturday.

“That’s a World Rugby thing. They lead this game, they run this game and with people within in that we’ve got to help the referees so it becomes easier and more simple for them to ref the game. It’s a really complicated game.” Hansen said.

With only seconds remaining and the score tied 15-15, the ball went forward from Lions fullback Liam Williams and was played by teammate Ken Owens who was in an offside position. Poite awarded a penalty, but after viewing replays he changed his mind to say it was an accidental infringement by Owens and the penalty was downgraded to a scrum.

“I think they just overthought it,” Hansen said. 

“If he’d trusted his instincts and gone with them he would have made the right decision. If he had felt like it was accidental, play on and LB (Lienert-Brown) scores under the posts and we wouldn’t be having this conversation. 

“I bet he’s not feeling good about that. He’s a good man Romain and he hasn’t done it deliberately.”