'Despite clearly being the least mobile of the four quarter-final referees, Nigel Owens remains without peer'
It’s a shame World Rugby’s match official selection panel have decided to punish Jaco Peyper for striking his Sebastien Vahaamahina-like pose with Wales fans following last Sunday’s quarter-final in Oita.
Standing down the South African from being considered for duty next weekend over a tongue-in-cheek picture is a hard sentence as Peyper otherwise did his prospects of refereeing the England versus New Zealand semi-final no harm whatsoever.
His matter-of-fact, clear, concise style was perfectly suited to a quarter-final game which could have exploded in the second half.
Quite what possessed Vahaamahina to plant an elbow in Aaron Wainwright’s face is known only to him, with even his head coach Jacques Brunel immediately acknowledging the inevitable sending off which resulted.
World Rugby’s one concern surrounding the incident will relate to the haphazard process by which Peyper and TMO Marius Jonker reached the decision since the pair seemed only to become aware of the incident retrospectively.
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Indeed, a penalty awarded for the French lock’s initial headlock on Wainwright had been kicked to touch and the players were heading for the ensuing lineout before the officials spotted the red card offence on a giant screen replay.
The debate regarding scrum-half Tomos Williams’ rip of the ball to create Ross Moriarty’s late clincher will doubtless rage for years to come since depending on which camera is viewed, the ball’s flight is lateral or slightly forward.
Nonetheless, the officials followed a logical process and with Peyper having such a clear on-field view, Jonker required irrefutable evidence if the referee’s original try award was to be overturned.
Fans aren't happy with how World Rugby have punished referee Jaco Peyper https://t.co/TCugH7aEcK
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 22, 2019
It was on the Sunday night in Japan when the main threat to Peyper’s semi-final prospects subsequently emerged, the referee pictured post-match with a group of Welsh fans jokingly pointing his elbow towards a face.
In the current politically correct, social media-obsessed world, Peyper clearly was guilty of poor judgement, but surely nothing more? World Rugby’s enquiry concluded differently, however, and he has been sidelined for semi-final weekend.
Jerome Garces is another referee whose star is very much in the ascendant following his superb display during England’s win over Australia.
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Referee Peyper taking a snap with some Wales fans ?? #RWC2019
The French official’s communication with both players and his colleagues was exemplary. In particular, his firm overrule of Kiwi TMO Ben Skeen who, to the ears of many, is far too keen to interject and attempt to control rather than advise the referee. Garces’ reward? The whistle for next Sunday’s game between South Africa and Wales.
Meanwhile, 2015 final referee Owens did little to reduce his chances of emulating Andre Watson by whistling a second final, albeit he is now clearly the least mobile of the four quarter-final referees. To balance this, in a hard-fought contest requiring plenty of management control – which a semi-final or final will be – he remains without peer.
Refereeing bores all around the world will have enjoyed his correction of TMO Graham Hughes’ minor misinterpretation of law – “No, Graham, he has to be behind the player not the ball” – while a couple of players received the now familiar Owens’ ticking off.
So @WorldRugby have named the referees for the @rugbyworldcup semi finals and they are effectively saying Jerome Garces is a better referee than Wayne Barnes?! Do me a favour…. pic.twitter.com/1aUnMpjq3Z
— Andy Goode (@AndyGoode10) October 22, 2019
The only other point of interest related to Matt Todd’s sin-binning. A review may show that while the correct outcome was reached, the All Black replacement was in fact guilty of either a no-arms tackle or not rolling away on the ground rather than the offside for which the yellow card was shown.
The talking points from Wayne Barnes’ generally sound performance during South Africa’s ultimately comfortable win over host nation Japan related to his non-use of the TMO.
While this approach keeps play moving and avoids needless stoppages, it is also fraught with danger should subsequent TV replays reveal something significant has been missed.
Two decisions merit discussion in this respect. The yellow card given for Springbok prop Tendai Mtawarira’s tip tackle was correct based on directives since the tackled player landed on his side/shoulder.
However, it seems likely that a TMO review would have allowed the try which South African centre Damian de Allende had chalked off on the stroke of half-time.
WATCH: Eddie Jones claims England were spied on at training on Tuesday
Comments on RugbyPass
This looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to comments