There was a highly controversial moment in Munster’s Pro 14 clash against Scarlets at Thomond Park on Saturday evening.
Johann van Graan’s side did enough to see off their Welsh opponents by a scoreline of 19-7, but their task could have been made that bit simpler were it not for an odd decision from referee Marius Mitrea and TMO Matteo Liperini when it looked as though the Irish province had scored a perfectly good try.
James Cronin was the man who touched down with 66 minutes on the clock, only for the match officials to determine that the try should be disallowed as the prop was deemed to have made a double movement on his way to grounding:
Needless to say, the head-scratching decision was met by boos from the Munster crowd, and those on social media couldn’t quite grasp the rationale behind the call either:
That’s up there with one of the worst decisions I’ve ever seen by a professional TMO #MUNvSCA
— Three Red Kings (@threeredkings) March 24, 2018
Wow. Just wow. #MUNvSCA
— Harpin’ On Rugby ? (@HarpinOnRugby) March 24, 2018
Munster v Scarlets – Cronin try – Disgraceful decision – TMO should have gone to specsavers and what is the Ref doing?!
— Rolande Anderson (@AndersonRolande) March 24, 2018
Yessss Great Try from James Cronin Ahhhh here that’s pure *****
Cop yourselves on officials will ye Awful #MUNvSCA
— Liam (@liam_le) March 24, 2018
Man alive.
How that wasn’t a Munster try is baffling.
— Paul Williams (@thepaulwilliams) March 24, 2018
What an absolutely disgusting call from the ref in Scarlets/Munster game! Clear try not given for double movement ? horrendous officiating that! #Munster #scarlets
— Rhydian Williams (@rhydianwilllz) March 24, 2018
Alex Wootten scored a try to seal the points late on for Munster (though the disallowed try could, in essence, have cost them a bonus point) and it keeps them firmly in contention for the next stages of this seasons Pro 14, as well as preparing them for next weekend’s Champions Cup quarter-final against Toulon.
Read More About: james cronin, Johann van Graan, Munster, pro 14, scarlets
