RWC 2015: ALL BLACKS SHOWCASE WORLD CUP CREDENTIALS
New Zealand put on a record score to eliminate France. Julian Savea bagged a hat-trick and sent a warning to rival teams.
It was semantics rather than the score that lit up social media after New Zealand's thrashing of France in the Rugby World Cup quarter final.
What, the budding linguists of the online world paused to discuss, is the difference between a punch and a closed fist to the face?
Richie McCaw receives treatment on the pitch.
Richie McCaw receives treatment on the pitch. Photo: Alastair Grant
The discussion was triggered by a moment of argy-bargy between players which resulted in an encounter between France's Louis Picamoles and his fist and All Blacks captain Richie McCaw.
Louis Picamoles is sent to the sin-bin by referee Nigel Owens. Photo: Laurence Griffiths
Depending what side you're on, Picamoles either thrusted/pushed/brushed/threw his hand into McCaw's face as he lay sprawled on the ground.
What followed was a discussion between the video referee and the referee about what precisely had gone down.
TMO: "I've got a red 8 who has got his fist in the face of black 7 after you have blown the whistle... he put his fist in the face of black 8."
