Stormers flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
Image: INPHO/Federico Pestellini
The Stormers’ Champions Cup clash with Toulon ended in acrimony and controversy, but it could have been so different had Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu snapped over a drop goal.
The Stormers lost 28-27 after the game had wound up to a terrific climax on the Toulon tryline. The Stormers relentlessly plugged away for a match-winning try, and the French kept infringing.
The Capetonians can be rightly aggrieved that the referee did not award them a penalty try, but the referee could have been taken out of the determination of the result had the Stormers flyhalf nudged over a drop goal.
Much of the action was right in front of the posts, and Feinberg-Mngomezulu could have nailed a drop with his eyes closed.
Former Springbok coach Nick Mallett said as much in the SuperSport studio.
“The Stormers have to learn that there is more than one way to win a game. They just persisted with the pick and go, and it wasn’t getting them a reward against a team that went down to 13 players.
“In addition to that, you’re right in front of the poles. What’s wrong with a drop goal, Sacha? There are ways and means of winning a game beyond pick-and-go close to the line. That’s what the Stormers will learn.”
The player in question said it did not cross his mind.
“Upon reflection, I probably could’ve dropped into the pocket, but it’s easier said when things don’t go your way,” Feinberg-Mngomezulu said.
“We probably had them in the contest. It wasn’t the sort of game that we were looking for a bonus point or needing to win by any points difference,” he admitted.
Coach John Dobson praised his players for their repeated comebacks in the game when it had seemed that Toulon would stretch away.
“I was very impressed with the fight. We needed to score twice with eight minutes to go, and we should never have been in that position,” he said.
The pressure from the Stormers resulted in referee Christophe Ridley yellow-carding two Toulon players, but when it truly mattered — the moment when the Stormers seemed to have ploughed over for a try — the officials got it badly wrong.
Referee Christophe Ridley.
Image: ©INPHO/Federico Pestellini
Dobson chose his words carefully.
“We had to adapt to some Champions Cup interpretations. In the URC — which is obviously our day job — when you run into the maul like that, and it gets brought down, it’s clearly a penalty try, but not in the Champions Cup.
“Obviously, we were a bit frustrated at the end there. Once it goes to the TMO, then maybe you can’t see the grounding, and the on-field decision for some reason is ‘no try’.
“What’s frustrating for us is that (Toulon flank) Charles Ollivan is clearly inside the field of play on the ground. I believe Adré (Smith) got it down, but I don’t understand why it wasn’t awarded. It was a very frustrating way for the game to end.
“We would have loved to have won this game at one of the cathedrals of rugby, but we were maybe not quite good enough in some areas,” he said.
“We didn’t get our usual scrum dominance, and it just seemed to be a bit more of a mess. But our players mustn’t lose heart —it was still a very good performance. Now we have to focus on the URC.”