Robbed - that's the cry coming from some Irish fans and media following the All Blacks 21-9 over Ireland in Dublin this morning.
Their dispute - Beauden Barrett's try in the 13th minute, in which he cut straight through the Irish defence and into the end goal.
The only problem was the grounding, which forced referee Jaco Peyper to go upstairs.
Images were unclear, with Irish first five Johnny Sexton seemingly doing his best to hold the ball up, but Barrett was in absolutely no doubt.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME."I grounded it," the All Blacks first five said.
"It could have been embarrassing," Barrett said. "Obviously I was trying to get under the sticks to make the kick easier. Yeah, I should have just dotted down and make life easier.
"It is just a natural thing to do. The ball was in the wrong hand, it was obviously be better to be on the other side (where the defender cannot block it from hitting the turf)."
He waited nervously, and even Peyper seemed to triple-check the upstairs referee.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.One on the big screens, Barrett could see why the crowd were getting so excited.
"The second angle didn't look good but I knew that part of the ball had hit the ground in the first angle, so it was just a relief.
"I can understand why the crowd got in behind it ... But I was comfortable I grounded it."
