Rugby World Cup referees find themselves under intense scrutiny, both for the decisions they make and those they abstain from, making their job far from straightforward.
Even in an age of advanced technology, numerous contentious situations continue to arise.
In the subsequent slides, we examine the four most hotly debated refereeing choices throughout the year’s premier sporting event.
#4. Sam Warburton red card
Sam Warburton, a Welsh rugby legend, received a red card in the first half of the 2011 Rugby World Cup semi-final against France.
Warburton, who played as an open side flanker, was shown a red card by referee Alain Rolland in the 18th minute of the match for a tackle on French winger Vincent Clerc that Rolland deemed worthy of a straight red.
The decision was met with outrage from commentators and pundits, but both Warburton and Wales head coach Warren Gatland, while expressing their disappointment, remained gracious in defeat after France secured a 9-8 victory in Auckland.
This controversial decision, which many believe cost Wales a place in the final against the All Blacks, remains one of the most debated calls in the history of rugby.