‘Where’s the TMO gone?’
Leinster benefitted from a couple of yellow card calls that went against Toulouse, in their Champions Cup semi-final victory at Aviva Stadium. One former England international felt Andrew Porter could have joined then in the sin-bin.
Leinster scored 28 points during the two 10-minute windows when Toulouse had yellow-carded players on the sideline. However, just before the break and with Toulouse trailing 27-7, there was an incident involving Porter and Juan Cruz Mallía.
The Toulouse winger got an offload away to Jack Willis, inside the Leinster 22, before being lifted and unceremoniously dumped to the ground by Porter [see clip below].
Play raged on and Toulouse scored a try through Emmanuel Meafou. Wayne Barnes, his touchline officials and Television Match Official Stuart Terheege all moved on without reviewing the incident. Several TV viewers felt Porter was lucky not to be carded, with former Leicester and England outhalf Andy Goode tweeting:
‘Where’s the TMO gone? Head in the biscuit tin or gone to the toilet?! How’s he missed this clear yellow card for Porter for the tip tackle?!’
Where’s the TMO gone? Head in the biscuit tin or gone to the toilet?! How’s he missed this clear yellow card for Porter for the tip tackle?! pic.twitter.com/2Aj7EkOUSn
— Andy Goode (@AndyGoode10) April 29, 2023
Toulouse coach on Andrew Porter incident
Toulouse coach Ugo Mola was asked about the Andrew Porter tackle on Mallia, after his side’s 41-22 defeat.
“Of course – we could have played 15 vs. 14 but error was not mentioned – Wayne Barnes is a top level referee but as the press was on for a try, this foul was not picked up. That was disappointing. It could have got us back to [even] less than that 13-point difference at half-time.
“A lot of facts did not turn in our favour,” Mola added, “and we paid a dear price.”
Leinster senior coach Leo Cullen was asked about the specifics surrounding the two Toulouse yellow cards and that Andrew Porter incident but opted to focus on his team showing focus and skill to twice exploit the man advantage when the French side had players in the sin-bin.
“They are big moments in the game,” said Cullen. “Cards are part and parcel of the game… trying to exploit those advantages that you have.”
Cullen was asked if Johnny Sexton, who underwent surgery in mid March, could possibly be back for the final, on May 20.
“No,” Cullen swiftly replied. “I’d be shocked.”
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