Chiefs coach Dave Rennie has hit out at what he describes as a "season-defining" mistake by match officials late in their Super Rugby loss to the Hurricanes.
Rennie slammed the decision to rule out a try to Chiefs reserve halfback Augustine Pulu, who darted over in the 79th minute of a game his team lost 22-18.
Referee Glen Jackson referred the lead-up to the try to TMO Vinny Munro, who ruled flanker Sam Cane had knocked-on in the depths of a previous ruck.
Rennie says it is obvious to him after repeated viewings that the hand of a Hurricanes player had illegally raked the ball back.
"When it goes up stairs the decision making should have been better. I don't think it's acceptable," Rennie told journalists.
"There's an enormous amount of character in this team, but we're bloody grumpy."
The result springboards the Hurricanes 13 points clear of the Chiefs and Highlanders at the top of the New Zealand conference. The same three teams dominate the top of the overall standings.
Rennie is irate his team's chance of overhauling the Hurricanes has virtually disappeared.
"I don't want to take anything away from them but these are season-defining moments and I'm disappointed with the decision making."
Rennie was pleased with how his team handled the adversity of losing locks Mike Fitzgerald and Michael Allardice to injury, forcing him to field five loose forwards in his pack for the last 45 minutes.
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