Crusaders icon Justin Marshall expressed his frustration towards Angus Gardner after the Australian referee permitted Chiefs lock Josh Lord to remain on the field despite committing a blatant jersey pull on James O’Connor.
O’Connor, a legendary Wallaby now playing for the renowned Christchurch club, was sprinting up in support of David Havili with the try line in sight during Friday’s Super Rugby Pacific clash.
However, O’Connor’s momentum was interrupted by Lord’s cynical foul, which ultimately stalled the Crusaders’ attack.
James O’Connor is restrained by Josh Lord. Stan
Gardner was aware of the sneaky foul but determined that it warranted only a penalty in Hamilton.
“This should be a yellow card. It simply has to be,” Marshall, a former All Blacks halfback, stated during Stan Sport’s coverage – before it was ignored.
“I can’t agree with the decision to not issue a yellow card; it constitutes a professional foul. Angus, I’m sorry, but I do not see it your way.
“Josh Lord was clearly restraining James O’Connor, who was a support player; Lord was behind him.
“O’Connor was in front, racing ahead as a supporting player, and that is undeniably a professional foul. Such actions are unacceptable. Every day of the week, that’s a yellow card.
“I simply cannot concur with the officials on this. They have made the wrong call in my view.”
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Following the incident, O’Connor successfully converted the penalty, levelling the score at 17-17 after 48 minutes.
Yet, with both teams still at full strength, the Chiefs took control from that point on.
Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan again received remarkable contributions from his deep bench – including All Blacks Samipeni Finau, Cortez Ratima, and Quinn Tupaea – as the hosts triumphed with a final score of 49-24.
Tupaea notched up two tries while Finau contributed another in a commanding finish.
The Chiefs are now sitting at 2-0, while the Crusaders are at 1-1.
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