The RFU , at Hill 's instigation , promptly demanded an apology from the Natives ' captain of the day , Edward McCausland , who had led the team as Joe Warbrick was injured . The English authorities of the time believed that the decision of a referee was above question , and that protesting a decision as the New Zealanders had done was unsportsmanlike . The RFU threatened to bar any of their affiliated players – in other words , the entire rugby playing population of England – from facing the Natives if they did not apologise . McCausland swiftly sent an apology by telegram , but this was deemed inadequate ; he therefore sent another , four days after the game :