Would you have given the try?

The Brumbies are playing the Lions. The Lions have just scored and got to 17-13 when the Brumbies attack and bash at the line. Stephen Moore of the Brumbies picks up the ball to go low for the line but Tonderai Chavhanga of the Lions brings him to ground. Moore gets the ball over the line and the referee consults the television match official whose advice is that a try was scored.

But was it OK?

Tackled short a player can still score - if he reaches out to score or if his momentum takes him to the line.

Law 22.4 (d) Momentum try. If an attacking player with the ball is tackled short of the goal line but the player’s momentum carries the player in a continuous movement along the ground into the opponents’ in-goal, and the player is first to ground the ball, a try is scored.
(e) Tackled near the goal line. If a player is tackled near to the opponents’ goal line so that this player can immediately reach out and ground the ball on or over the goal line, a try is scored.

There is no momentum in Moore as he was close and brought straight down. He then created his own momentum.

Using his left hand as a lever he propelled his body forward. Then he did it again. Then he rolled over for a try which the television match official advised was a try.

Moore did not reach out and place the ball. He propelled himself forward and rolled over with the ball.

Is the TMO entitled to comment on what happened just before the line?

The protocol determining how a TMO is allowed to act:

Area of Adjudication

The areas of adjudication are limited to Law 6. 8 (b), 6.8 (d) and 6.8 (e) and therefore relate to:

Grounding of the ball for try and touch down
Touch, touch-in-goal, ball being made dead during the act of grounding the ball.

This includes situations where a player may or may not have stepped in touch in the act of grounding the ball on or over the goal line.

The TMO could therefore be requested to assist the referee in making the following decisions:

Try
No try and scrum awarded 5 metres
Touch down by a defender
In touch – line-out
Touch-in-goal
Ball dead on or over the dead ball line
Penalty tries after acts of foul play in in-goal
All kicks at goal including dropped goals.

The TMO must not be requested to provide information on players prior to the ball going into in-goal (except touch in the act of grounding the ball).

The TMO must not be asked to assist in any other decision other than those listed.

The referee must make an effort to make an adjudication.  If he is unsighted or has doubt, he will then use the following process (4).

It would seem that the TMO was not entitled to comment on what Moore did before getting to the line. It would seem that he should but it is not sanctioned at present and as the decisions are broadcast to the World ("Walshie. Georgia. Try") it is wise for the TMO not to step out of protocol.