World Rugby has reportedly conceded Aaron Smith's disallowed try in the World Cup final against South Africa should have 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 have 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 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.
To some extent, the disallowed try was academic. A few minutes later, fullback Beauden Barrett crossed for the only awarded try of the contest, but Mo'unga's missed sideline conversion ultimately spelled the difference between winning and losing.
Smith's try would have provided a friendlier conversion opportunity and the two points may have made all the difference.
After the match, the All Blacks camp was bitter over some onfield rulings, but particularly the intervention of TMO official Tom Foley.
On arrival back in Auckland, coach Ian Foster confirmed he had sent a 'please explain' to the world body.
"Hopefully, they do," he said, but refused to elaborate on which areas were under dispute.
"Oh, I think you can guess."
Most of the discontent seemed targeted at the yellow card to captain Sam Cane that became a red, while counterpart Siyo Kolisi committed a similar high tackle and was allowed back on the field.
This latest revelation suggests the concern went beyond cards.
