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Yes, the video ref on Friday was an Aussie, and I believe that this worked against the chance of a positive decision on THAT try.
A professional ref is more likely to rule negative in awarding a very close decision in favour of his countrymen. The potential finger-pointing of a "home-town decision" would be not be pleasant for a video ref to face. The field ref and touch judges were neutral (from South Africa), so why, I ask, is the video-ref not neutral, particularly since more and more decisions are being referred to him?
If indeed the decision was so close that the video-ref could not be sure, he should have referred back to the field ref for decision. I read a report that the Force players heard the touch judge say that he believed that the try was good.
Which leads me to another observation. This touch judge was the same man who, as video ref, made that appalling no-try decision that cost the Bulls a game a few weeks ago. I thought that he was to be sent back to referee school and lesser level games. Why is he still officiating Super 14? Perhaps the field ref did not have sufficient confidence in his touchy's opinion.