It was a little bit disappointing the maul got penalised down in the second half because it was exactly the same set-up in the first half.
- ACT Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham
ACT Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham has been left to lament they way changes to the rolling mauls were officiated in his team’s four-point loss to NSW Waratahs at Equex Centre on Saturday night.
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Super Rugby referees have been told to clamp down on the way the ball is moved through the maul and Larkham believes it proved costly for his team.
Josh Mann-Rea opened the scoring from a rolling maul move, deemed legal, before the Brumbies were pulled up in another dangerous attacking position late in the match.
Larkham thought the decision was one of the big turning points in the match.
"It was a little bit disappointing the maul got penalised down in the second half because it was exactly the same set-up in the first half,” Larkham said.
“We were given a try in the first half so it is little things like that (when) they score in the corner over here and is it a try if they got to the TMO?
“(If) it’s not a try that changes the scoreline.
“The only disappointing thing for us is the scoreboard got away from us in the last two minutes but we will wrap up in here and say its not about the score, it’s about the intent we showed out there and that was the pleasing thing.”
As the season continues Larkham is looking to find ways for his team to adapt to the new interpretations.
“It’s made it really difficult for the referees now,” he said.
“For example we had exactly the same set-up in the first half and it was awarded as a try and the second half one was thought to be illegal.
“It was called by the touch judge and they have to review it as there is a learning process for the referees as well at the moment.
“I think they will review that decision and give us some feedback there and we can modify as need be.”
Despite suffering two narrow losses in trials at Wagga, Larkham can see plenty of positives moving towards the start of the season.
His team was far from full strength for hit out and will only improve ahead of their next trial with those rested expected to play.
“Obviously it hurts to lose any game in the last two minutes but it is a trial game and we are certainly looking at the positives in our game at this stage,” he said.
“Our set piece was superb, we found some really good shape in attack in that first half, we didn’t have a lot of ball in that second half.
“I thought the effort was mostly there in that second half to defend quite well.”
