Luke Cowen-Dickie’s controversial dismissal on Saturday has sparked yet another debate over the laws of the game.
The English prostitute played for Sale Sharks in their Premier League decider against Saracens at the StoneX Stadium.
Sale were leading 7-3 when he struck back for the home side, forcing their opponents to scramble on the line five meters from their own line.
Under pressure, Sarris made a mistake in the set piece as Jamie George failed to hit his target. The ball landed in the hands of Cowan-Dickie and the front rower headed for the whitewash.
Lost control
He was tackled in front of the line but reached out and managed to knock the ball away.
Replays showed the 30-year-old briefly lost control and there was a breakaway before he got his hand back on it, seemingly extending his team’s lead.
Not according to the laws, however, as the ball was deemed to have slipped completely out of Cowan-Dickie’s hands and, as it hit the deck, it was technically a knock-out.
So it was ruled out and prevented the Sharks from taking a 12-3 lead, but it didn’t matter in the end as the visitors ran out 20-10 Premier League winners.
No try for Luke Cowan-Dickie after a TMO review.
Seperation denies him an assessment. Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/xUk9NNjdNL
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) May 19, 2024
Most agreed that according to the letter of the law, the officials made the right decision, but it sparked a debate.
In the comment to TNT Sportformer England defender Austin Healy spoke in favor of Cowan-Dickie, saying: “He picks up the ball again before it hits the floor”, but fellow commentator Ben Kay replied: “I don’t think it matters because this is considered a loss of control. .”
Kay added: “That’s how the judges were told to judge it because the apparent separation (means cheating).”
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Judge’s explanation
Sale was unhappy and flyhalf George Ford spoke to the referee about it. Luke Pearce was sympathetic to the Sharks, but stated: “The ball clearly flies out of his hand and then comes back in… he’s not in control, it’s a knock. It’s cruel, it’s cruel, but it’s true.’
Kay insisted that no one but Sarris was clearly happy with the situation and revealed that he had already asked why the law was being enforced in this way.
“I remember when we were told about it, I thought, ‘Why is this a law?’ I don’t really understand it because if a player throws it but catches it before it hits the floor, that’s fine,” said the former England lock.
“He clearly pushed the ball to the line but Luke Pearce is absolutely right. Sale fans will be annoyed, he (Sharks boss Alex Sanderson) will be annoyed, Luke Pearce will be annoyed – he’s just said he doesn’t like it.’
Social media reaction
RugbyInsideLine was not impressed with the decision to exclude him and felt he should have been awarded.
“WHAT?! That’s a weird call,” they wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
“The ball comes out of Cowen-Dickie’s hands but he doesn’t drop it and then gathers himself up again while he’s in the air to score.
“This is a terrible law. There is no knock … The attempt must stand.”
However, as others have pointed out, Pierce had no choice but to rule it out.
“I don’t understand this post. It’s a terrible law (gotta agree), so why the strange call. It is clearly not an attempt. Easiest call in the world,” one person replied.
“It’s amazing how many critics of referrals don’t know the laws and/or how they are interpreted.”
Another added: “Granted, it’s a bad law, but it’s the law as it stands, so it’s best not to try.”
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