Ref Watch: 'Forget procedure, Ryno Pieterse left Romain Poite with no option'
Since Castre’s Ryno Pieterse left Bordeaux scrum-half Maxime Lucu in a crumpled heap with his brutal tackle during last weekend’s Top 14 encounter, there has been plenty of debate about the rights and wrongs of referee Romain Poite’s approach and decision.
The 23-year-old South African-born lock launched himself horizontally from some distance at top speed before crashing into Lucu – who had just kicked a high ball – at shoulder height.
While experienced former World Cup semi-final official Poite was off camera when the crushing impact took place, French TV’s ref mike picked up his immediate response.
Poite blasted the whistle and while running towards the fast-developing melee called out:
“No, no, it’s a straight red card, it’s a straight red card.”
This continued after his arrival at the scene as he was separating players: “Stop there whites (Bordeaux players). “It’s red, it’s a straight red, it’s a straight red, it’s red, it’s red, it’s red.”
One of the reddest red cards you will ever see ?pic.twitter.com/LS7YMFC8MI
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 18, 2021
From a refereeing perspective there are two aspects of this worthy of further discussion – whether the call was correct in law and the process by which the decision was arrived at.
While the ‘game’s gone soft’ brigade have not been entirely silent, it is fair to say the vast majority of opinions expressed have supported Poite, sympathised with Lucu and been grateful that the visitors’ no.9 was not really badly hurt.
But…if you watch frame by frame, it is possible to see how a small proportion of viewers have convinced themselves that Pieterse’s actions were within the laws.
His take-off point is some distance from the kicker, but once he opted for a full-pace horizontal dive he was beyond the point of no return. On this basis you could argue he was committed to the tackle and unable to pull out.
Similarly, his first point of contact is with the upper chest or shoulder, from where his upper arm and shoulder continue into Lucu’s head. This could be presented as evidence that red card mitigation was present.
In addition, Pieterse does make a token effort to wrap with his left arm.
However, anyone putting this hypothesis forward is in effect removing Pieterse’s need to have regard for the safety of others.
Since World Rugby became more safety conscious this has been at the heart of their approach to law-making, and is why players are now red carded based on outcome rather than intent.
That said, I challenge anyone watching the incident at full speed to convince me that Pieterse’s actions were entirely devoid of intent…
A few of these talking points will prompt social media debate during the first few weeks of the season… ??https://t.co/r76CvaYjYP
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 20, 2021
We also have to view Poite’s response through the wider prism of how French rugby now approaches player safety and also consider how the incident fitted within the context of the match.
Following four tragic incidents, two of which involved professional players, the FFR have placed more emphasis on safety than anywhere else in the world. For example, below the country’s fourth tier (Fédérale 1) all tackles must be below the waist while all rugby below level six is played with uncontested scrums. Tap tackles are illegal below level four.
While these specifics would have been far from Poite’s mind, his thinking will have been conditioned over time to establish a broad sense of what is and isn’t acceptable. It was this instinct that took over when he immediately called it as he saw it and brandished the red card.
Poite will have refereed Castres many times whereas I have only been there once, but it is fair to say that opponents know they have been in a game following a visit to the Stade Pierre Fabre.
Seemingly this contest had added spice due to the return of former Castres coach Christophe Urios and perhaps as a result the hour prior to Pieterse’s tackle had plenty of niggle.
Poite will therefore have been ultra-alert for any possible flashpoints, and this also provides some explanation of his immediate from-the-gut reaction.
Neither touch judge therefore had any opportunity to input to the red card although the nearside official did flag for foul play.
The new date is very close to the Six Nations ??https://t.co/CyIJhOwdcK
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 20, 2021
Similarly, Poite only consulted the TMO after the event to confirm that the mark for the penalty was correct.
In doing this he backed his own judgement, but potentially exposed himself to a level of risk which a slower, more inclusive approach via the team of four would have eliminated.
However, by making Bordeaux aware that the ultimate sanction was about to be handed out, Poite may well have prevented mass retaliation and multiple sendings off.
For me this was a superb piece of management on the hoof and one of those instances where the outcome justified the means.
Twitter will almost certainly disagree, but sometimes there is simply no time for procedure and in this instance Ryno Pieterse left Romain Poite with no option.
Comments on RugbyPass
Why cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
30 Go to comments