Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend was visibly furious after being denied the winning try against France on Saturday.
Townsend expressed bewilderment that the authorities did not award Scotland a try in the final stages of the game.
France ultimately got their Six Nations action back on track with a 20-16 win at Murrayfield, but referee Nick Berry and TMO Brian McNeice were left wondering for a few minutes about Sam Skinner's potential try. The celebration was put on hold due to deliberations.
Officials debated whether Skinner had grounded the ball over the try line before deciding that Yoram Moefana's spike had supported the ball.
“We were celebrating.”
The decision was highly controversial among fans and spectators, with supporters at the stadium loudly booing the officials who stuck to their original request not to award a goal.
“We were celebrating in the coaching box when we saw pictures of the ball being placed on the try line after it was placed on the players' boots,” said a disgruntled Townsend.
“It was also after hearing a communication from the TMO to the referee that the ball started at his feet and then fell to the ground.
“Then the referee said, 'I can see that (ball) on the ground too,' and the final exchange after that was, 'Wait a minute, let's look at it from another angle…Yes, it's inconclusive right now.' Please stick to the above judgment.''
“It was TMO-driven. If the referee was looking at the picture that we all saw in the stadium, maybe the referee would also say, 'That's the ball falling, that's a try.' . But the TMO changed his mind and said, “Stick to your on-field decisions.”
“I don't understand the logic. If you look at the pictures and you look at the conversation, they're already saying between themselves that the ball was on the try line.”
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“I was completely heartbroken.”
Scotland were in control for most of the match, taking the lead in the seventh minute with Ben White's goal, but only conceded in the final 10 minutes.
Townsend felt his team was in control throughout the game and also expressed his sadness for his players.
“I'm really disappointed for the players,” Townsend said. “Looking at how the game went in the second half, I didn't think we would score at one stage. We were in control.
“But we made a mistake that led to a scrum that led to a try. At that time I thought it was going to be really difficult to get the required five points.
“Then Kyle Rowe broke and Finn (Russell) won the ball back and got us on the try line which was a great effort.
“When I saw the picture right after that, my feeling was, 'What a great win, what a team coming back.'
“To play that well and then step back and come back was a great win for our supporters and then you guys take it away.
“This is a sport, we know that, and we have to get better. That's why we play and coach not just to win, but to get better. We place wins and losses in the hands of referees and TMOs. We must ensure that we are freed from this.”
Asked if he thought officials did their jobs properly, Townsend said:
“All I can say is that we were celebrating the win and our players and many of our supporters were moved by the photos we saw. I could hear conversations.
“Gavin Hastings (former Scotland international) was in front of us and the media turned around a few times and asked questions. So I said, 'Yeah, try.'
“We leave it to you to comment further, but we believe this was an attempt.”
read more: Scotland v France: Five points from the Six Nations clash as Gregor Townsend's men suffocate again
