Referee stands by controversial Wales vs Scotland decision as major Six Nations call explained
The man in the middle described the turning point at the Principality Stadium as a ‘peculiar’ try.
Referee Matthew Carley has given his account of the controversial Darcy Graham try which helped Scotland to their victory in Cardiff.
Just as Jarrod Evans’ penalty gave the hosts an 11 point lead, Scotland fly-half Finn Russell caught the Welsh defence napping with his quick restart, which with an element of fortune, bounced straight into the hands of Graham to score. The try was a significant momentum-swinger in the game as Scotland then gained the lead through a late George Turner try and were able to hold on for the 26-23 win.
The quick-thinking of Russell even flummoxed the BBC cameras, who were still showing replays of Evans’ penalty when Graham was charging up the pitch. The winger claimed he got a ‘nod’ from Russell and knew what was coming.
With everything happening so fast, Carley had the almost impossible task of keeping up with the play but despite Welsh dissension, he maintains that Graham’s try was completely legal. The Englishman spoke on World Rugby’s Whistle Watch podcast alongside former referee, Nigel Owens and Wales icon, Jamie Roberts.
Referee on ‘peculiar’ Graham try
Roberts asked the question: “Darcy Graham’s try, a moment of genius from Finn Russell after Jarrod Evans kicks the conversion. Now, some have suggested maybe the wrong ball was used, or Scotland weren’t allowed to do it. Either way Wales had to be better set but how did you see it? Were all the laws followed correctly?”
Carley responded: “The Darcy Graham try was so peculiar. I remember thinking at the time that it was after the kick at goal had been successful from Wales that Finn Russell had run past me a little bit quicker than normal. So, then you’re alerted and your senses are sort of heightened to what’s going on around you.
“So, I knew that the two main things that I needed to be aware of once the ball had been delivered to the pitch was that Wales were on side and ready to receive the kick. The law is that they are behind their own 10 line. So, it was a quick scan to ensure that was the case, and then I needed an awareness of where the Scotland players were in relation to the kick-off and ensure that they were on side when Finn Russell kicked the ball.”
Carley praises officiating ‘teamwork’
Carley, who was officiating his 50th International match last weekend, highlighted the good communication and cohesion of his fellow officials while assessing the legality of the Graham score. Karl Dickson and Adam Leal were running the lines on the field, while TMO Ian Tempest and Foul Play Review Officer Eric Gauzins also had a part to play when watching the try back.
He continued: “It was really good teamwork and connection from Adam (Leal) who had worked his socks off to get into as good a position as he could upfield from the kick-off so that he was quite close to where the ball landed and then he could judge any challenge or competition and then see the grounding. I remember feeling at the time that everything had kind of gone into slow motion, and I think it was the same for everyone.
“In terms of legality, 100% happy, and then obviously you got Tempo [Tempest] and Eric in the background who did their little sweep of it, to make sure that what we’d seen on the field was correct and seven points to Scotland and a try that will be replayed for years to come on highlight reels of the Six Nations.
“Not much more to say other than it was a strange moment, but one I think we can be pleased that we identified and we’re up with and aware of and allowed Scotland to score seven points in that situation. It’s so easy to stop the game and be cautious, but we wanted continuity, we want flow in the game, and they ticked all the boxes they needed to be able to take their chance.”