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Erasmus hearing reveals why Nic Berry apologised to Siya Kolisi
Referee Nic Berry sought out Springboks skipper Siya Kolisi at the second Lions Test last July to apologise over the player’s reported feelings of unfair treatment stemming from the previous week’s first Test. The infamous 62-minute Rassie Erasmus video critiquing the Australian’s refereeing performance in the opening game of the series twice alleged disrespect had been shown by Berry to the South African captain.
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“When Siya spoke to the referee and when Alun (Wyn Jones) spoke to the referee I just felt the reactions on how they treated both those players was totally, there was a vast difference between who he was taking serious and who he wasn’t taking serious. I might just play this for you and talk you through it,” claimed Erasmus in the video that pored over a multitude of clips from the match.
The Springboks director added with regard to another contentious clip: “…It is almost like he is having a laugh at Siya and saying to him: Yeah, it was a knock-on, it is only a knock-on. He is actually laughing at Siya now.”
This alleged lack of respect became a hot topic at the eve-of-second-game media briefing attended by Kolisi where he was asked about his interactions with Berry during a match lost by the Springboks. “I didn’t feel respected at all, I didn’t feel a fair, I was given a fair opportunity. That’s the answer to the first question. And the second one is, yeah, I’m looking forward. It’s a new game, it’s a new referee, which I’m looking forward to. I think Ben will give a fair, a fair opportunity for both captains and that’s all I’ve always asked for.
“I just say I just didn’t feel as, I didn’t get given the same access to the referee and there is proof. If you watch the game again you will definitely be able to see yourself. Yeah, I don’t want to speak too much about that because it has already happened, there is nothing I can do about it, it’s not going to change anything.”
It was news to England boss Eddie Jones that his name was referenced in the Rassie Erasmus written judgment #Springboks #rassieerasmus #England #ENGvRSA #AutumnNationsSerieshttps://t.co/onWukoZkbc
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 18, 2021
In the charge sheet contained in the 80-page written judgment following the hearing, it was noted that “Siya Kolisi is a deeply impressive individual who leads the Springboks team with distinction. We have no reason to doubt the genuineness of his feelings. However, that is not the same as asserting as a fact that he had been disrespected nor that those feelings are correct.”
The judgment then added how Berry has reacted that second Test weekend following the allegation of disrespect towards Kolisi. “During his evidence, Nic Berry told us that he had ‘massive respect’ for Siya Kolisi as a person and as a player.
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“So concerned was he by the reported feelings of unfair treatment that at the second Test he sought him out and apologised if he had done anything which created the contrary impression. We accept without reservation Nic Berry’s evidence that he, and his officiating team, did not intentionally disrespect Siya Kolisi.”
The judicial committee ultimately decided that the alleged treatment of the Springbok captain by the match officials was not central to this case, but they had a final word on the matter in section 152 of the judgment.
“If there be doubt, we remove it: we recognise the exceptional sensitivity of race in South Africa. We are sure that none of the match officials deliberately or consciously treated Siya Kolisi differently from any other player. Nothing they did was motivated by race.
“That Rassie Erasmus believed his captain was treated differently does not get close to justifying the content of his video. We also note that only two of the clips concerned that topic and there were a further four or so references to the Springbok players being disrespected.”
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Springboks director Erasmus was suspended from all rugby with immediate effect on Wednesday for a period of two months following his misconduct hearing regarding charges arising out of the Test series versus the British and Irish Lions earlier this year.
Erasmus was also banned from any involvement on a matchday until September 30 next year, while SA Rugby must pay a fine of £20,000. Both Erasmus and SA Rugby must also apologise for their actions, but both those parties have since stated they will be exercising their right to appeal.
The written judgment in the Rassie Erasmus hearing has detailed a disputed phone call between two of World Rugby's top referees #Springboks #rassieerasmus
https://t.co/uu9ATEVh3I— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 18, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
SBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
5 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
11 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
11 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
3 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
5 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
11 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
11 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
3 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
3 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
11 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
11 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
11 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
11 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
11 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
11 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to comments