Fans see red after Samoa escape sending-offs within hours of World Rugby refereeing statement
World Rugby were praised on Tuesday for releasing a statement saying the standard of refereeing so far this World Cup has not been at the standard expected.
Certain instances over the first four days of the tournament have led to widespread censure of the officiating and perhaps required World Rugby to take action.
However, mere hours after the statement, referee Romain Poite caused more controversy by awarding Samoa two yellow cards for two tackles against Russia that have been unanimously deemed red cards by pundits and fans.
Outside centre Rey Lee-Lo was on the verge of being awarded a red card in the first half by Poite for a tackle to the head of Russia’s full-back Vasily Artemyev. However, the television match official downgraded it to a yellow card because the offence was mitigated by the full-back dipping into the tackle.
Only a matter of minutes later, hooker Motu Matu’u saw a yellow card as well for a hit at the ruck which was worse than Lee-Lo’s. Once again, the player that was hit was deemed to have dipped, although that is much more controversial as the player had already dipped as Matu’u was running to hit him.
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The game seemed to become farcical at this point, and fans on Twitter were outraged that there was not at least one red card from those two challenges. Although Poite was set to award a red card for the first tackle, the excuse that the players may have been dipping does not seem to be acceptable for many fans.
This would have always been controversial given how bad the tackles were, but the timing is almost risible, as this was the first game after World Rugby’s statement and it will only draw more attention to the officials. This is what has been said:
I've been so impressed with @russiarugby in this #RWC. No doubt Samoa should have had at least 1 red card in this match (2 IMO), which may have changed the outcome. @Scotlandteam players should take to the pitch against Samoa wearing NFL helmets! #RUSvSAM
— Fraser Sinclair (@FraserSinky) September 24, 2019
Two red card tackles by Samoa overlooked by the referee- bad for the game which is lop sided against the tier 2 teams anyway. Decided to turn over and watch something else.
— steve Jones (@skjones505) September 24, 2019
How on earth have Samoa still got 15 players on the pitch , are referees scared of being the first to red card a player at the World Cup? #RUSvSAM #itvrugby
— Blake (@blake_lyons93) September 24, 2019
How have Samoa managed to get away without a red card BOTH TIMES?! The first I can almost understand, but this time the player was bent over the whole time! Where's the mitigation?! #RWC19
— Felicity Baldwin (@Clumsyflic) September 24, 2019
@rugbyworldcup – Where did u find these #referees!?!?! #Samoa dangerous hightackle on #Russian player RED CARD applies!!!!!!!. #Referees are a joke! All of them. No #consistency. #Rules only applies to some players and some teams.
— ?Deon M van Heerden? (@DMvHeerden) September 24, 2019
Does someone have to die before Samoa gets a red card? #rwc2019 #RUSvSAM
— ?? Fraoch is skiving (@Calluna_Vulga) September 24, 2019
Is it just me or do the French refs have a different rule book?? Please explain how the second Samoa yellow wasn’t red ?? #rugbyworldcup2019
— Rob Bessinger (@rob_bessinger) September 24, 2019
Samoa should have had at least two red cards, Russia got beaten by the officials today. Becoming a constant theme of this world cup
— Banjo Thomas (@BenjiTsher) September 24, 2019
Samoa ran out winners 34-9 in the end, despite Russia leading 6-5 at half-time, but it could have been a completely different story had they been down to 13 men during the second half, particularly with Lee-Lo scoring a try.
The officiating has been one of the key topics of the RWC so far and this game will only add fuel to the fire.
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Comments on RugbyPass
Very 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 commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to comments