The social media backlash over Ruben Love's sin-binning in the third Greatest Rivalry Test has been loud, but Nigel Owens isn't buying it. On World Rugby's Whistle Watch, Owens explained the confusion: the breakdown where Love appeared to shoot offside was actually covered by an advantage Amashukeli was playing against Quinn Tupaea — Love was legal there. The yellow card came at the next ruck, where Love had a foot clearly in front of the goal line. With the ruck on the goal line, the law is unambiguous: you must be behind it. Owens says the tackle Love made from that position made the yellow card the correct call. Rennie has essentially conceded the point — confirming it was 'definitely a penalty' based on the law — while questioning whether yellow was proportionate given it arose from a second-phase breakdown rather than the initial infringement.
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Nigel Owens backs Amashukeli: Love's yellow card was correct
Nigel Owens has backed Amashukeli's yellow card decision against Ruben Love, explaining on Whistle Watch that the confusion stems from two separate breakdowns — Love was onside at the first but clearly offside at the next ruck on the goal line, where the law leaves no grey area. Rennie has confirmed the penalty was correct while questioning the severity.