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Ref Ben O’Keeffe responds to Antoine Dupont’s post-match comments
Referee Ben O’Keeffe has hit back at Antoine Dupont’s criticism after France’s heartbreaking Rugby World Cup exit as they lost 29-28 to defending champions South Africa last weekend.
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With the hopes of a nation resting on their shoulders, including thousands of passionate French fans at Stade de France, Les Bleus fell painfully short of what would’ve been a statement victory in the knockout rounds.
France were in control with 15 minutes to play as they took a six-point lead into the business end of the Test, but a try to Eben Etzebeth changed everything. The Springboks regained the lead.
The game clock continued to tick ever closer to full-time as Les Bleus mounted a couple of desperate attacks in the hopes of another score, but it wasn’t to be.
French fans had been cheering all night, but a rather quiet or sad hush fell across the stadium as Boks wing Kurt-Lee Arendse kicked the ball out of play. Referee Ben O’Keeffe blew his whistle for full-time to confirm that France were out of their home World Cup.
Captain Antoine Dupont didn’t mince his words as the world-class halfback criticised the refereeing of O’Keeffe after the one-point defeat.
“I don’t know if the match was lost at that point, but at crucial moments, we could have had a penalty,” Dupont said. “When you’ve gone forward 60 metres and you’re slowed down in the rucks, it’s pretty easy to whistle.
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“I don’t want to sound bitter, moaning about the refereeing because we lost the match, but I’m not sure the refereeing was up to the challenge.”
Knockout
11 - 12
Final
6 - 44
SF1
15 - 16
SF2
17 - 29
QF1
24 - 28
QF2
30 - 24
QF3
28 - 29
QF4
It’s rather rare for a referee to publicly respond to criticism, but a relaxed-looking O’Keeffe had an opportunity to do just that after being appointed as the referee for the England versus South Africa semi-final on Saturday.
While the New Zealander is “buzzing” about the game this weekend, there were still some questions that remain unanswered following the French defeat. It was time to hear O’Keeffe’s side of the story.
O’Keeffe was asked about Antoine Dupont’s comments, but the referee dismissed the criticism as something that was said “in the heat of the battle.”
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“I think it’s a space for the players and the team, you know it’s obviously a very emotional time, and I just try and respect that and keep the space,” O’Keeffe told Newshub.
“I think players, coaches, they’re going to say things whether you win or whether you lose. I know that we’re never perfect as referees, you make errors in the game but I think comments that players can make they can do that after the game and it’s kind of in the heat of the battle.
“I’m sure everything’s fine. We’ve done my review and we’ll reach out and be able to get things back on track as well but I understand obviously the sentiments after a big match like that.”
Comments on RugbyPass
The next Willie le Roux. SA are made not to use him.
2 Go to commentsDan has always been as controversial as tea with milk so we were never going to get any definitive answer. So DMac for the win.
8 Go to commentsGoodness. When are the All Blacks and New Zealand commentators going to stop complaining about how they could have won and just try to win next time 😂. In South Africa if you lose you get up and try again. Get over it.
77 Go to commentsHonestly, it doesn’t matter a whole lot. RSA has a ton of experienced talent in its leadership group. I am more interested in who is the new 8 man/8 men and the younger props. The captain may change but the system does not
1 Go to comments“See you in the final” can mean whatever you want it to mean. To me it means that 12 Irish rugby players are a bunch of poeses. See y’all in Pretoria.
131 Go to commentsBen, you are one of the most arrogant and self opionated rugby critics I have ever come across (next to Keohane). I hoped that after SA beating the best ranked teams in the world on their way to the WC (something not done before) that you might have the grace to admit that this is a special team that deserved the accolades coming their way. You have no humility and as has been been already pointed out, merely a troll to attract audience numbers. Count me out in the future.
77 Go to comments‘War of independence’. Such a grand name for a few skirmishes. Where were all the great battles of this ‘war’ ? Smith got goosebumps as he was being emotionally manipulated, another mushroom.
1 Go to commentsFor all those disputing the veracity of Etzebeth’s very public recollections of the Irish players’ comments, I have one question: should we be holding our collective breath in anticipation of a barrage of strenuous denials from the Irish squad? Then again, perhaps not…
131 Go to comments> If the game of rugby is to grow globally, then the rugby Sth Africa play needs to be exterminated. Their performances at World Cup ‘19 & ‘23 were the antithesis to what the game should be. If the World Cup final is the grand spectacle of the game, please no more having to endure the drudgery and insipid ‘style ‘ of play harking back to pre WWII days, where the soulless rugby of the Bok reflected the mindset of a nation. > Gotta agree with Ben Smith, “ the Springboks took the trophy by default, with what might be the most unimpressive escape of all time “.
77 Go to commentsI think Rassie should bring in some new guys and give them a go in these irrelevant games. It’s a chance to blood some guys that might otherwise not get a chance and see if they’re up to it. As for the who’s number 1 dispute? Don’t care. As long as the trophies are brought home, that argument isn’t important. Champions don’t fuss about the could’ve, would’ve, should’ve. They just do, and that for me makes SA and NZ the top dogs. Followed by Ireland and occasionally England.
225 Go to commentsThis is like the “catches win matches" saying in cricket. If ABs were pragmatic and kicked for goal instead of hunting tries, I reckon they win that game with ease. Instead, nearly 6 months later; we have World Rugby's official mouthpiece celebrating their Almost Won the Rugby World Cup trophy. Fine Victory Gentleman! Well-earned!!
77 Go to comments“…the All Blacks nearly won…” is the only phrase you need to concern yourself with relative to this “journalistic” piece. Enjoy your Almost Won the World Cup victory…
77 Go to commentsAw common. Stop winging. There were no errors by officials. It is all recorded. Whose fault was the Cane red card? Or the Savea knock? Maybe the selectors who insisted on making a very average player their captain should be blamed. Something had to give way.
77 Go to commentsThe latest ‘Ireland are arrogant’ attack from one of the two most arrogant rugby nations on earth.
131 Go to commentsWaawaawaaaaaaaa
24 Go to commentsHow does this guy still have a job?
77 Go to commentsSorry bok you can't beat facts, we heard you all crowing how great you thought you were..lol ! We all watched the game, cheatsabeth cheating cost abs a try, only a penalty considering it was cynical and a professional foul, doesn't matter who wrote this because thats how it happened, but you go enjoy your gifting of the cup,
77 Go to commentsCan we talk about the context of how this particular journalist continues to make a living and gets published? Controversy for clicks. Shame on all of us for engaging with these irrelevant opinions.
77 Go to commentsAn astounding article !
77 Go to commentsFrance didn’t lose against New Zeland in 2011, but against Joubert…
77 Go to comments