Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Simon Thomas

Maro Itoje smirk caught on camera after contentious England try

It was the smile that said it all.

Maro Itoje had got away with one and it proved to be such a pivotal moment in Wales’ dramatic 23-19 defeat to England.

The controversial incident happened just two minutes into the second half of the big Six Nations clash at Twickenham.

It was 12-0 to the home side at the time with Marcus Smith having landed four penalties.

Wales had a defensive lineout five metres out. The plan would have been to clear their lines and get upfield.

But Ryan Elias’ throw flew over the back of the lineout and straight into the hands of Alex Dombrandt who gleefully accepted the gift as he produced a fine finish, stretching out to score.

One wondered just what had happened because the ball went way over Adam Beard and there was no player in red coming in to take it infield.

You could see the Welsh players gesticulating about something, with Elias calling on referee Mike Adamson to carry out a TMO check and Beard also making a point.

It wasn’t immediately apparent what the issue was and the incident wasn’t reviewed by the officials, with the try standing.

But after the game, coach Wayne Pivac made his views clear.

He was adamant Beard had been pushed out of the lineout, an offence which should have seen the score ruled out.

"We’re disappointed with the try. Had we had an opportunity to review what happened at the lineout, I don’t think it would have been given," he said.

"(Beard) was chased down the lineout and bumped, which you can't do, but it wasn't picked up and the try stands.

"It's just unfortunate that it wasn't picked up. But looking at the replay we've seen, there was an offence there."

Those replays do indeed suggest Wales have a case.

They appear to show Maro Itoje putting in a subtle nudge on Beard with his right arm, knocking the Ospreys lock sideways and impeding his jump, resulting in the ball sailing over him.

As the footage rolls on, following Smith’s failed touchline conversion attempt, the cameras pick up another telling moment.

It shows Itoje with a broad smile on his face as he shares a moment with Ellis Genge.

That try gave England a 17-0 lead and although Wales rallied with three touchdowns of their own, they ultimately lost by four points.

All of which makes the five points accrued from Dombrandt’s contentious score that much more pertinent.

It was a topic of conversation on social media after the match, with various people commenting on Itoje’s actions and his subsequent grin.

One person tweeted: “Watch the overhead replay. Very sneaky bump into Beard as he’s setting himself to jump. No wonder he couldn’t jump. Clear as day Beard gets nudged as he sets himself to jump.”

Another said: “Calculated gamble by Itoje. Knew what he was doing going across Beard to prevent the jump. Good giggle with Genge about getting away with it caught on the replays to. Couldn’t believe his luck.”

A further tweeter added: “You could tell by Itoje and Genge’s smirks that they’d got away with something dodgy.”

And another commented: "Itoje blocks the jumper preventing Beard going up. Dreadful officiating."

So what did England coach Eddie Jones make of it all?

When asked if Beard had been pushed, he replied: “I don’t know what you’re talking about mate.

“You’ll have to ask the referee. I really don’t know mate.”

Get the latest Six Nations news and analysis sent straight to your inbox with our rugby newsletter.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.