WRU report says Cardiff ‘robbed’ of victory in Belfast: The WRU Match Report claimed Cardiff’s victory was “taken away” after controversial referee interference in the final minute of their defeat to Ulster in the URC.
Cardiff were on the brink of a remarkable victory – their first Belfast in 14 years – when a huge call saw a 10-point conversion in the final minutes of the game. and WRU report says Cardiff ‘robbed’ of victory in Belfast.
Match official TMO Andrew McMenamy and referee Mike Adamson had a big say in the result, denying Theo Kabango a hat-trick try and a 16-17 scoreline almost a sure Rugby match winner.
The turning point of the match came late in the game when Cardiff’s substitute – Rhys Caray – was adjudged to have deliberately tripped a pass inside his own 22. The ball rolled backwards and was collected by his teammate Ben Donnell. Tinas de Beer’s upfield kick and the subsequent recovery of a corner effort from Kabango secured a dramatic late victory for Cardiff.
However WRU report says Cardiff ‘robbed’ of victory in Belfast, the try was disallowed, Kerry was sent to the sin-bin and Ulster’s John Cooney kicked the decisive penalty.
It was a bitter pill to swallow for Cardiff and their supporters to WRU report says Cardiff ‘robbed’ of victory in Belfast, not being rewarded with further improvement in their onfield performances.
WRU report says Cardiff ‘robbed’ of victory in Belfast
A WRU match report headlined ‘Falletta injured to rob Cardiff again’ said “Cardiff were robbed of their first win in Ulster for 14 years and their first in 2024, when the TMO joined forces with the referee to score a hat-trick. Theo. awarded a penalty at the other end of the pitch. Cabanago
Cardiff’s woes have been compounded by injuries to Wales and British and Irish Lions star Talupe Faletau. The back row left the game after just 30 minutes with what was initially suspected to be a recurrence of a broken left arm. Faletu was injured against Georgia in the World Cup.
His comeback attempt had already been delayed by a calf injury sustained during rehab. The loss of Faletau, a veteran with over 100 caps for Wales, was another blow for the team, especially as Wales head coach Warren Gatland hoped for a successful return for Faletau after a long absence.
“He’s being assessed after his shoulder injury and we don’t know the extent of the injury yet,” Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt said. Fingers crossed, it’s not too bad because he’s put in a lot of work over the last six or seven months to get back.
“I’m disappointed for Toby. I’m sure the boys will come to him.”