AM's Nicky Styris has hit out World Rugby, after they reportedly conceded All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith's disallowed try in the World Cup final against South Africa should've stood.
In the 55th minute, All Blacks first-five Richie Mo'unga broke towards the Springboks goal-line and found his halfback running a superb support line to take an offload and score what would've been the first try of the game, eventually won 12-11 by the defending champions.
The five-pointer was immediately overturned by referee Wayne Barnes and TV match officials (TMO) for a knockon in a lineout across the field.
Four phases passed between the lineout and the try, and Stuff reports World Rugby has privately acknowledged match officials had no right to review that far back. Rules allow a review of play only two phases previous.
The one-point defeat left many Kiwis heartbroken and this latest news that Smith's try should've stood will only rub salt in the wound. It brings back memories of when the Blackcaps controversially lost the Cricket World Cup final in 2019.
The report has left Styris fuming, telling AM on Wednesday it's unacceptable the TMO didn't know the rules.
"How do the TMOs not know the rules of how far they can go back for a review," she said. "One job.
"... I don't know, get together in a room and discuss the rules, so this sort of stuff doesn't happen. It's a World Cup final, it infuriates me when this happens... sorry, but not sorry."
AM co-host Ryan Bridge chipped in saying: "You can't take the score back."
"That's exactly right, so get it right the first time," said Styris said, but Bridge hit back, saying it was never going to be perfect.
"Nothing is ever going to be perfect and that's just sport," he said. "You have to accept sometimes stuff is not going to go your way and you can't throw a hissy fit about it."
Styris still isn't happy.
"It's not like it's happening fast and the referee on the field is making the decision. This has gone to a bunker room, where they sit there and they analyse it," she said. "Surely they know the rules."
Watch the full moment above.
