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By RUGBYMag.com Staff
Referee Chris Henshall came under undue criticism following the Super League Final, says USA Rugby refereeing head Ed Todd.
Todd contacted RUGBYMag.com to take issue with this website's reporting of Sunday's final between SFGG and NYAC. Specifically, it was the note saying Henshall got it wrong when he ordered a 22-meter dropout rather than a scrum at midfield for a restart that went into in-goal.
"I need to advise you that Henshall was quite correct in Law," Todd wrote, citing Law 13.9(c):
If they opt to ground the ball or make it dead, they must do so without delay. Any other
action with the ball by a defending player means the player has elected to play on.
"If you check the video," continued Todd, "you will see that the SFGG player who gathers the ball does not immediately touch it down, instead he waits for NYAC players to get close before downing, clearly by law indicating that he has elected to play on. Henshall correctly calls for the 22 dropout."
The 22-meter dropout in question led almost directly to a drop goal from NYAC flyhalf Pete O'Brien, in a game decided by three points.
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