Nick Mallett is pulling no punches on the TMO creep that's draining rhythm from the game. Appearing on Talking Boks, he used the Junior World Championship final as his case study — South Africa beat France 16-5 but had three second-half tries disallowed following review, with officials going back multiple phases to find infractions. Mallett's argument isn't that TMOs should be scrapped, but that the threshold has shifted: referees are no longer using the technology for 'clear and obvious' interventions but actively hunting reasons to overturn decisions already made on the field. The Yaqeen Ahmed try — disallowed despite what Mallett considered a dangerous low tackle by the French defender — is his sharpest example of officials losing the plot on proportionality. He also weighs in on Quesada's ban for referee criticism, which prompted him to reveal his own infamous door-battering incident during his Italy tenure. The broader point is that rugby's greatest structural asset — continuous play — is being quietly dismantled by a review culture nobody seems willing to rein in.
Mallett slams TMO culture as 'a blight on rugby' after Junior Bok tries chalked off
Mallett argues TMOs have gone from a last-resort tool to a try-hunting exercise that kills game flow — using the Junior World Championship final as exhibit A.
The Junior Boks' journey to the final 🇿🇦 | Junior World Championship | Points compilation
South Africa currently hold the Junior World Championship title, but can they retain it this Saturday in the final against France?
Mthethwa praises Junior Boks' composure after fightback win over England
The Junior Springboks overcame an eight-point half-time deficit to beat England 53-37 in the Junior World Championship semi-final, with attack coach Melusi Mthethwa crediting the squad's composure and second-half accuracy. Wing Khuthadzo Rasivhaga scored three tries as the SA U20s set up a final against France on Saturday.
Mthethwa hails Junior Boks' composure after fightback win over England
Junior Springbok attack coach Melusi Mthethwa praised the squad's composure and second-half precision after the SA U20s came from 20-12 down at halftime to beat England 53-37 and reach the Junior World Championship final against France, with wing Khuthadzo Rasivhaga scoring a hat-trick.
Kelly's red card turns the tide as Junior Boks dismantle England 53-37
Kelly's 32nd-minute headbutt red card handed the Junior Springboks a numerical advantage they didn't need — South Africa were already the superior side and duly proved it, running in eight tries to reach the final where they'll face France for back-to-back titles.
Junior World Championship Semis: Junior Boks Face Unbeaten England, Rugby365 Tips SA by Eight
Full team sheets and match predictions for all Junior World Championship knockout fixtures, including the Junior Boks vs England semifinal — Rugby365 tips South Africa to win by eight against an unbeaten English side.