The Queensland Reds have lodged a formal complaint with Super Rugby Pacific over the standard of refereeing in their controversial loss to the Chiefs on Friday, which ended with the match officials being booed off Suncorp Stadium.
But in what could add salt to their wounds, the Reds also face a possible sanction from Super Rugby Pacific bosses for breaching tournament regulations after the game, with coach Les Kiss preventing players from doing media interviews in a bid to protect them from getting fined.
The Reds lost 31-21 to the Chiefs in a defeat that all but ended Queensland’s hopes of finishing in the top three and hosting a qualifying final.
Kiwi referee Marcus Playle and his assistants were booed off Suncorp Stadium, with fans fuming following a series of dubious calls that went against the Reds in a 12-5 penalty count.
The most controversial decision was a hasty no-try ruling for Queensland second-rower Seru Uru on the stroke of halftime. Reds players were confident Uru had scored with a goal-line charge to give the home team as much as a 14-10 lead, but, with an obstructed view, Playle ruled it was held up before seeking a TMO review.
Just 26 seconds later – and having used only one angle – TMO Glenn Newman said there was no clear evidence to overturn the decision, and half-time was blown.
Reds players pointed to the stadium screen as subsequent replays appeared to show Uru grounding the ball.
Former Wallabies star Tim Horan said on Stan Sport: “How could there be nothing clear there? They needed to have a bit more a look at it. The TMO has had one look and said halftime. That’s a poor decision.”
Kiss and Reds captain Fraser McReight were diplomatic about the refereeing in post-match media duties, but the Queensland Rugby Union was sufficiently aggrieved that they later submitted a complaint to Super Rugby Pacific.
“The QRU have raised their concerns on match officiating direct with Super Rugby Pacific and will respect the process and won’t be making any further comment on the matter,” QRU chief executive David Hanham said on Sunday.
Informed sources said the QRU’s concerns were not centred on individual decisions, but more raising the question of why the competition had appointed an inexperienced referee for a crucial fixture between two sides in the top six, with home finals on the line. The match was Playle’s eighth Super game.
A Super Rugby Pacific spokesperson said referee bosses will scrutinise the performances of Playle and Newman during a standard review on Monday. A similarly hasty no-try ruling for the Waratahs’ Triston Reilly against the Reds in March was subsequently declared wrong by Super Rugby Pacific.
Super Rugby Pacific officials will also look at the post-match actions of Queensland.
Unhappy with decisions throughout the game – particularly in the last quarter – Queensland were not happy post-game, and after the coach and captain did interviews, Kiss shut down any other player interviews with broadcaster Stan Sport. Stan Sport is owned by Nine, the owner of this masthead.
Kiss’s move was an attempt to protect his players from getting in trouble when asked about refereeing, but pulling down the shutters was also a breach of Super Rugby Pacific tournament regulations, which stipulate the coach, captain, and at least two further players must be available for interview with the host broadcaster post-game.
Kiss told Stan Sport he had even pondered pulling McReight from his post-match duties, saying: “I feel for ‘Frase’ tonight. I was reluctant to let him go in front of the media to tell you the truth, just to protect him.”
Informed sources say broadcaster Stan Sport was not pleased and made it known to Super Rugby Pacific.
The Reds could this week cop a fine from head office for the breach, as per tournament guidelines. But it is more likely the sanction would be a letter of warning from Super Rugby Pacific boss Jack Mesley, according to informed sources with knowledge of the situation.
The Reds sit in sixth place with three games remaining: away clashes against the Force and Moana, and a home game against the Fiji Drua. Sitting six points behind the Reds, however, the Waratahs’ faint finals hopes rest on their northern neighbours falling apart in the run home.
But the Waratahs have to pick up wins, too, and that only got tougher ahead of a tough road trip to Fiji this week given the multiple injury concerns arising from their 31-26 defeat to the Highlanders in Dunedin.
The Tahs may have to call up a hooker from club rugby with Ethan Dobbins (foot) and Folau Fainga’a (knee) both in doubt, along with lock Angus Blyth (ankle), back-rower Peter Samu (knee) and winger Andrew Kellaway (concussion).
Watch every match of Super Rugby Pacific live and exclusive on Stan Sport.
Iain Payten is a senior sports reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.