Following Jame Hook's penalty that wasn't in Wales' 17-16 loss to South Africa last night, nzherald.co.nz looks at other sporting moments that could have gone either way.
England goal that was
With the 1966 FIFA World Cup final between England and West Germany in extra-time, England's Geoff Hurst scored
one of the most controversial goals in soccer history. Locked at 2-2 Hurst fired an attempt from close range which hit the cross-bar, bounced just past the goal line and back into play. All eyes were on Russian linesman Tofik Bakhramov who pleased the 98,000 strong Wembley crowd by confirming the goal as England went on to win their first and only World Cup title 4-2.
England 'goal' that wasn't
With shades of 1966, England trailed 2-1 to old rivals Germany at last year's FIFA World Cup when Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard looked to tie the round of 16 match up with a well placed shot from outside the box. The ball hit the cross-bar and bounced down into the goal before falling back in play. Quick thinking German keeper Manuel Neuer grabbed the ball and played on while Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda let play continue. Germany scored two more goals to eliminate England from the tournament.
Snedden's 'catch' that wasn't
In a match remembered for Trevor Chappell's underarm delivery to Brian McKechnie, the 1981 ODI between Australia and New Zealand included another controversial moment during the Australian innings. Martin Snedden took a low catch to dismiss Australian captain Greg Chappell however Chappell refused to leave the ground claiming the ball touched the ground. TV replays showed Snedden caught the ball cleanly however Chappell batted on to make 90 runs leading Australia to a 'winning' margin.
The perfect game that wasn't
The perfect game is the highest achievement for a baseball pitcher, having to pitch all nine innings of a game without letting a batter get on base. Last season Armando Galarraga of the Detroit Tigers was just one out away from becoming the 21st pitcher to complete a perfect game when Cleveland Indians' batter Jason Donald came to the plate. Donald hit a tame ground ball and Galarraga ran to first base to complete the routine play and the perfect game. Galarraga clearly made the out but first base umpire Jim Joyce saw otherwise and called Donald safe.
