Mistake.

World Rugby have acknowledged in private to the All Blacks that Aaron Smith’s try against South Africa in the Rugby World Cup should not have been ruled out, according to a report by Stuff.

Smith’s disallowed try occurred in the 54th minute of New Zealand’s 12-11 defeat to the Springboks at the Stade de France in Paris, following a break by playmaker Richie Mo’unga.

But play was called back when TMO Tom Foley spotted a knock-on at a lineout, and referee Wayne Barnes then disallowed the try.

The knock-on occurred four phases before the try was scored but the law states that the TMO is only allowed to go back two phases for a knock-on in the build-up to a try.

World Rugby updated this TMO protocol in the middle of 2022, issuing a release and stating that TMO referrals were possible for “all clear and obvious knock-on or throw-forward infringements within two phases leading to a possible try.”

Whether or not the try would have resulted in New Zealand being crowned champions for a fourth time instead of South Africa will never be known but no doubt All Blacks fans will feel aggrieved.