SOCIAL MEDIA FALLOUT: Australian referee Nic Berry has come under fire for his decision to force Springbok flyhalf Handre Pollard to take a conversion from a more difficult position.

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South Africa came from behind to secure a 16-all draw with New Zealand in Wellington at the weekend, but the match was littered with incidents of oversight and errors by the match officials – perhaps worst of all Berry’s final act.

After replacement scrumhalf Herschelle Jantjies scored a late try, Pollard slotted the angled conversion to seal a crucial draw that left the Boks ahead of New Zealand at the top of the Rugby Championship standings with just one round remaining.

However, Berry forced Pollard to take the conversion from an incorrect – and far more difficult – position.

Whether it was accidental or deliberate is not certain, but forcing Pollard to go almost 10 metres out wider was poor form!

It caused a social media storm.

I’ve just YouTubed the try now. That is the 15m line and HJ is in field of it. As you all can see, Pollard takes the kick well outside of the 15m closer to touch. I can’t see what @RefJK doesn’t see here? it’s a huge disadvantage for a huge kick. Why was this done by the ref? pic.twitter.com/FtDajjAhxi — Tashriq Omar (@Redcap85) July 29, 2019

Don’t want to be a moaner but after Hershel scored his try check the spot the ref forced Pollard to take the kick 10 m closer to the touch making it a much more difficult kick which thankfully was converted under enormous pressure! pic.twitter.com/xJPcb8n6vd — Rob Louw (@roblouw6) July 29, 2019

and the area Mr Berry forced Pollard to kick the conversion from!????? pic.twitter.com/D9TZ4tqHA0 — Rob Louw (@roblouw6) July 29, 2019

Even a better Pic that is diabolical should be taken in line of point scored pic.twitter.com/r34PG5eCur — Rob Louw (@roblouw6) July 29, 2019

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