Ireland’s head coach Andy Farrell believed his team was unfortunate with some of the decisions that went against them during their 27-20 loss to South Africa in Pretoria.
“Sometimes it goes for you and sometimes it doesn’t. You’ll make your own decision on the Craig thing,” he said.
“It’s not for me to say but I saw quite a few of them live and had a dubious thought about it but anyway, that’s life.
“We will go through the right channels and make sure we do things properly as far as those things are concerned. You’ll make of it what you want.
“We have to go through the right channels. Unlucky, lucky, that’s the game as well.
“It was a special play by Kolbe to chase that ball and it’s one of the reasons why they won the World Cup with him chasing down the kicker in France, but we were slack not backing James up.
“You’ll make your own decision on whether he still had the ball in his right hand or whether the ball hit him as he threw it back into the field and his foot was in touch.
“That’s for us all to debate. It is what it is, that is the sport, it’s difficult to referee. You just want consistency, that’s all.”
“Inexcusable” – Four England players who flopped and who should replace them for second test
New Zealand narrowly defeated England 16-15 in a thrilling opening Test in Dunedin, marking a victorious start for new head coach Scott Robertson.
Below, we look at what changes Steve Borthwick could make for next weekend’s clash with the All Blacks at Eden Park.
#1. Marcus Smith
Rugby Pass 5/10: “Inexcusable miss in front of the posts early in the second half, but bounced back immediately with some passes timed to absolute perfection as England scored their second. After being penned back in the first half due to New Zealand’s territorial supremacy, he was able to express himself much more after the break as England gained more control. Unfortunately, two kicks from five are the statistics that can define Test matches though, and that might well have been the case in Dunedin”
Telegraph 6/10: “Missed two sitters off the tee which England had to take. Didn’t love the grubber when England were attacking well but two slick passes before Feyi-Waboso’s score. Bottom line, the missed points were critical. “
Replacement: Fin Smith is waiting the wings, but we’d give Marcus another run out next weekend