Former international referee Nigel Owens reflected on Cormac Iztyuk’s try-saving tackle in Friday night’s United Rugby Championship game.
Ulster’s 19-17 win over Cardiff was controversial as the visitors were denied a try in the dying minutes, resulting in Richie Murphy’s side being awarded the winning penalty.
Meanwhile, John Cooney appeared to flick the ball forward, only for David McCann to cross the try line in the 58th minute.
After McCann’s goal, Cardiff looked to have extended their lead as flanker Young charged into the Ulster 22 from space.
Cormac Izuchukwu denies Thomas Young
The 31-year-old almost went for a try but was decisively denied by Ulster substitute Izuchukwu, who dragged the Cardiff flanker in. As Young reached to score, Iztyuk swung his legs around and knocked the ball out of Young’s hands.
Amazing try saver efforts @UlsterRugbyThis is Cormac Izuchukwu🤯#BKTURC | #URC | #Race to the Eight pic.twitter.com/eTuYZSbTDd
— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) April 19, 2024
Although referee Mike Adamson and his officiating team deemed Izuchukwu’s actions legal, his kicking the ball out of Young’s hands was discussed on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Nigel Owens comments on Trysaber.
Welsh Rugby Union slams TMO after ‘brave losers’ Cardiff ‘deprived of statement win’
Asked for his opinion, Owens explained, “You can’t kick the ball off a player’s property while he’s grounding the ball out.”
The ball cannot be kicked from a player’s possession while he is grounding the ball.
— Nigel Owens MBE (@Nigelrefowens) April 19, 2024
The law Owens is referring to is Act 21.10, which states: “If a player being tackled is reaching out to ground the ball for a try or a touchdown, a defensive player must try to force the ball back or pull the ball away from the player’s possession. Sanction: Penalty. ”
In this case, there was a good chance that Cardiff would have been awarded a penalty try, in which case Iztyuk would have been given a yellow card.
This try saver has been widely discussed on social media, with many believing that Iztyuk did not intentionally try to kick the ball out of Young’s hands.
“There is debate about this, so my neutral view: there was no clear deliberate attempt to kick the ball out of the attacker’s hands, and the ball was removed in the course of a normal tackle. “It is not that the judges of the world do not recognize it,” wrote Hugo Gordon.
Another reaction was: This is a try saving tackle. The end of the. “
read more: ‘There’s no picture on the scorecard’ – Ulster relieved after dramatic crossing the line in ‘very fortunate’ win against Cardiff
