A bizarre blunder by a television match official in the Sydney Stars’ encounter against North Harbour Rays in Australia’s National Rugby Championships this morning has led to what might be the sport’s first ever ‘own try’.
Rays prop Mitch Lewis looked a paragon of perplexity when referee Ian Smith received permission from the errant TMO to award a try to the Stars after Lewis had stolen the ball and planted it over his own line.
Rather than awarding a five-metre scrum to the Stars, the TMO indicated a try could be awarded after presumably mistaking Lewis’ arm for that of an opponent.
The Stars capitalised on their good fortune as they recorded a 49-40 victory.
