The All Blacks may not be so lucky the next time they try and use their match-winning lineout move from the weekend.
There are claims from South Africa that Richie McCaw's try was in fact illegal because the All Blacks captain was not part of the lineout, and therefore offside.
Supersport writer Brenden Nel also suggests the try should've been disallowed because Kieran Read was lifted in the lineout before the ball was thrown in.
"Firstly when the lineout is formed, McCaw stands in the halfback – or receiver – position and therefore is not part of the lineout," Nel reports.
"According to World Rugby law 19.8.i - (i) Where the receiver must stand. If a team uses a receiver, then that player, must be positioned at least 2m back from teammates in the lineout, and between the 5m and 15m lines, until the lineout begins. Once the lineout has commenced, the receiver may move into the lineout and may perform all actions available to players in the lineout and is liable to related sanctions.
"Read with law 19.9 (a) – which says "The lineout begins when the ball leaves the hands of the player throwing it in", it is clear that McCaw has moved before the ball has left the hooker's hands, and since he is not 2 metres back, has all the advantage from an illegal position.
"But to take it further, law 19.10 (f) says "A player must not jump or be lifted or supported before the ball has left the hands of the player throwing in."
Yesterday former South African coach Nick Mallett hailed the innovation used by the All Blacks.
"It was brilliant. They are the most innovative team in the world," Mallett told the Supersport website.
"We've never seen that and we didn't know how to defend against it.
"Every game they come up with these fantastic new moves, it worked so well. They take seven points and win the game because of that courage."
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