French rugby referee Mathieu Raynal has broken his silence on the controversial finish to the first Bledisloe Cup Test in Melbourne, saying he takes "total responsibility" for the time-wasting call.
Raynal became public enemy No.1 with Australian rugby fans earlier this month after he overturned a penalty near the Wallabies' try-line in the final moments of the thrilling contest because he ruled first-five Bernard Foley took too long to kick the ball into touch.
As a result, the All Blacks were awarded a scrum and Jordie Barrett scored from it, stealing a 39-37 New Zealand win after an impressive comeback from the Wallabies.
Plenty of commentary has come out from all parts of the rugby world since, with some, such as officiating great Nigel Owens and All Blacks coach Ian Foster, supporting Raynal's decision while others, mostly Australians, slammed him for it.
Now the man himself has spoken out after being awarded French rugby's referee of the season.
READ MORE: Exclusive: Wallabies' Foley on controversial time-wasting call
"I take total responsibility for what I did, 100 percent," he told local media.
"I had a necessary reason for making the decision even if it was a strong one which caused people to talk. I try to do what is the most fair. That's at the heart of my job.
"Sometimes it creates tensions, frustrations, arguments but I take responsibility over what I do.
"I told a player five times to kick the ball to touch. I couldn't do otherwise. It's not me who decided to make the decision, it was the player who forced me to make it."
Raynal added he hadn't seen much of the backlash from some commentators around the call.
"To be honest I deleted newspaper and social media applications [on my phone]," he said.
"I had just Candy Crush and the clock on my phone.
"I didn't follow what happened.
"To keep my head, it was the best thing to do to keep focused on the second match. My job finishes once I leave the field."
Raynal went on to be an assistant referee at Saturday's second Bledisloe Test where the All Blacks crushed the Wallabies 40-14, securing the Rugby Championship in the process.
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