Perplexing referee calls nothing new for All Black tests

One week on from the Melbourne controversy, RNZ reporter Jonty Dine looks back at some of the most significant refereeing calls in All Blacks history.

1905- The original howler

1905 All Blacks
Photo: Photosport

The 1905 All Blacks had blitzed its way across Europe and North America, winning 34 of its 35 games. Of course the only match anyone remembers is the one we lost against Wales. Down 3-0 at Cardiff Arms Park, Bob Deans crossed the chalk to level things up, or so he thought. With referee John Dallas wearing street clothes, he was 30 metres behind the play and once he caught up, the Welsh had pulled deans from the in-goal area, resulting in a disallowed try and the birth of a famous sporting rivalry.

1925- All Blacks see red

One of the greatest sides in All Blacks history, the 1925 side was just one win away from achieving immortality and leaving Europe with a perfect record intact. To achieve this, they would need to defeat England at Twickenham. A violent affair ensued prompting referee Albert Freethy to issue several warnings to both sides. After just seven minutes of play, Freethy deemed Cyril Brownlee to have intentionally kicked an England player and was subsequently the first player in international rugby history to be ordered from the field. However, not even a one-man disadvantage could stop the mighty Invincibles and despite the historic set back, the men in black rallied with 14 men to pull off a 17-11 win.

1967- The mighty Meads gets marched

Colin Meads playing for the All Blacks against England on the side’s 1967 tour of the UK.
Photo: Photosport

It took 42 years for another All Black to be given his marching orders and in one of the most sacrilegious moments in All Blacks history, it was the great Sir Colin Meads ordered from the pitch against Scotland at Murrayfield. The All Blacks enforcer was ruled by referee Kevin Kelleher to have kicked a Scottish first five David Chisholm after multiple warnings for excessive rucking. Meads maintained while he was an uncompromising player, deliberately kicking a man is not in his game. To his credit, the Scotsman admitted in the New Zealand sheds afterwards that Pinetree had been hard done by.

2000- Lazy what?!

The first Bledisloe test has become known as the ‘Game from Heaven’ as the All Blacks and Wallabies produced and epic encounter at Stadium Australia in front of almost 100,000 fans. However, referee Andre Watson also produced a never before seen call after pinging lock Norm Maxwell for what he described as lazy running. Though unheard of at the time, Watson coined a new rugby phrase which continues to be barked at retreating front rowers today.

2007- That pass

Referee Wayne Barnes watches the scrum set as All Black halfback Brendon Leonard is about to put the ball in against France in the 2007 Rugby World Cup quarter-final in Cardiff.
France controversially won the match 20-18.
Photo: Photosport

Wayne Barnes secured his spot for the New Zealand as the most reviled referee in rugby in 2007. The All Blacks World Cup drought would continue for four more years as they were bungled out in the quarter finals following a shock loss to France in Cardiff. The 20-18 win came courtesy of a blatant forward pass by Damien Traille to send Frédéric Michalak away who in turn set up Yannick Jauzion for the match winner. So intense was the vitriol for Barnes, the rookie referee received death threats. Though many blame the English referee for the unceremonious World Cup exit, the hideous grey jerseys certainly didn’t help.

2017- A free kick and a sister’s kiss

With the scores locked at 15 apiece and time all but up in the third test at Eden Park against the British and Irish Lions, French referee Romain Poite’ initially awarded the All Blacks a penalty when Lions hooker Ken Owens was ruled offside. However, after an endless summit with his assistants, Poite ruled it accidental reduced the penalty to a free kick instead, denying the hosts the opportunity to clinch the series with the sides instead sharing the spoils.

2022- No time to waste

Referee Mathieu Raynal.
Photo: Photosport

And to our most recent entry and one that actually went in favour of the All Blacks. Seemingly consigned to yet another defeat in 2022, the Wallabies were set to take the Bledisloe series to a decider at Eden Park. However, with Bernard Foley employing some gamesmanship, French referee Mathieu Raynal made the stunning decision to ping him for wasting time. Jordie Barrett would score from the ensuing scrum and the All Blacks pulled off a miraculous 39-37 victory as Australia erupted in anger.

Honourable mention– every tour of South Africa prior to neutral referees.