“TMO’s you know they are always there. So you know we got to be squeaky clean in that area you know. They’re always watching” – Pasilio Tosi.
As they prepare for their second clash with France this weekend, the All Blacks have been taking into consideration the TMO’s interventions in their opening match last week in Dunedin.
A total of three tries were disallowed after originally being awarded, following a second check from the TMO. The game ended with a close result, with France hanging by a margin of four points.
Reflecting on the TMO’s impact on the game, All Blacks prop Pasilio Tosi says it is something that they have taken on board, and hope to improve on as a team.
“It’s pretty tough because the boys are working hard to get into the 22 and we want to come away with some points. But TMO’S you know they are always there,” Tosi said.
“So you know we got to be squeaky clean in that area you know. They’re always watching.”
In one of the three disallowed tries, the original decision was overruled after the TMO had deemed Tosi to be stopping a French defender from possibly stopping the try.
A call that Tosi believes is up for debate.
“Even with my one where I ran into the French player, I need to be mindful of not getting in their way. It did look like I did a push there, but at the end of the day the referees call, he is going to make a decision”
Assistant coach Scott Hansen also chimed into the TMO discussions, highlighting the importance of the All Blacks improving as a team to minimise the effect of the match from the upstairs officials.
“We have to improve, the All Blacks have to improve. Let’s take away that error in the breakdown, lets take away it’s ability to come in” Hansen said
“Our challenge is, give the TMO an enjoyable evening, with a cup of tea, and we’re really clinical and we execute well and he can enjoy his evening”
The All Blacks head into this weekend’s clash without their skipper Scott Barrett, who has been ruled out after sustaining a calf injury.
Ardie Savea is set to lead the side in his absence.
