Exeter 43-42 Harlequins: Chiefs snatch late victory amid TMO drama

Exeter 43-42 Harlequins: Chiefs snatch last-minute victory amid TMO turbulence… as the visitors are left ‘frustrated’ that the match-winning try was allowed to stand

  • Exeter secure victory through a late try by flanker Christ Tshiunza on Sunday
  • Harlequins felt there was a forward pass in the build-up to the final try
  • The incident was reviewed by the TMO, who suggested it went forwards
  • The referee stood by his decision due to the TMO not getting a decent view
  • Harlequins have confirmed that they will seek an explanation from the RFU 

Frustrated Harlequins head coach Tabai Matson will be seeking an explanation from the RFU about how Exeter were awarded their last-minute match-winner here.

Flanker Christ Tshiunza went over in injury time to win a game for Chiefs they had already had in the bag before throwing it away.

There was a suspicion of a forward pass earlier in the move, from Stuart Hogg to prop Patrick Schickerling, but TMO Dean Richards could not get a decent view.

Christ Tshiunza scored the match-winning try for Exeter against Harlequins on Sunday

Harlequins boss Tabai Matson felt there may have been a forward pass in the build-up to the try

Exeter — Tries: Williams, Townsend, Tshiunza (2), Skinner, Schickerling. 

Cons: J Simmonds (4), Slade; 

Pen: J Simmonds.

Harlequins — Tries: Murley (2), Green, Northmore (2), Marchant. 

Cons: Smith (6).

Richards said Schickerling had been in front of Hogg but it all ended up with referee Ian Tempest sticking with his original decision to give the try.

Quins had rebounded from 31-7 down at the break to lead 42-38 with Marcus Smith getting out his full box of tricks in front of Eddie Jones.

But Smith’s efforts came to nothing and Matson will be checking in with Twickenham to make sure they look at the call.

He said: ‘I haven’t heard the dialogue but ultimately the TMO is there to give the referee advice and make the game more accurate. So if the referee has chosen not to use that information that is flipping frustrating.

‘The RFU have a really thorough review on Monday and that will definitely come up. That process will be chewed through. They are pretty diligent at HQ so I am sure that will be brought up and if it isn’t I will be ringing them on Tuesday.’ 

But Exeter head coach Ali Hepher, who confirmed Sam Simmonds will leave for Montpellier at the end of the season, replied: ‘I would say, as they rule it now, that’s not forwards. The hands went backwards, momentum carries the ball forwards slightly, not a mile. They are probably right to review but I am always going to say it is all right.’ 

Wing Cadan Murley got the Quins rally rolling before the break, Tyrone Green carried it on before Murley’s second and two from Luke Northmore.

Chiefs went down to 14 men with centre Ian Whitten yellow-carded and Smith’s cross kick for Joe Marchant made it 42-38. Then Tshiunza scored his second to land the knockout blow.

Marcus Smith had a good day from the kicking tee but it was not enough for Harlequins to win




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