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'Sort it out World Rugby!' - calls for WR to step in over TMO appointment
The 11th-hour appointment of South African referee Marius Jonker to the role of TMO for the first Test has apparently left the British & Irish Lions camp with their nose firmed out of joint.
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Jonker is being called in to replace Brendan Pickerill who was unable to travel, a decision that has caught the Lions camp by surprise, not least given the inevitable question marks raised over his ability to remain impartial in Cape Town on Saturday.
The 53-year-old also came into criticism for his oversight of the unofficial fourth Test against South A. Faf de Klerk’s yellow card and a late, unpunished, high hit on Chris Harris were talking points after the game but the Lions’ gripe appears to be that there should have a been a neutral option as a backup plan.
“It was a bit unexpected. We only found out on Wednesday. There’s a slight lack of foresight because there’s a reason why that position is neutral. There’s no plan B put in place. You’ve just got to get on with it really,” forwards coach Robin McBryde said. “We met the three officials who are officiating on the weekend. We went through everything that’s happened up to date. They were reluctant to pass any opinion on what’s happened.
Gatland is said to be furious and he isn’t the only one. Former England flyhalf Andy Goode has even called for World Rugby to set in.
“So a South African is now the TMO for all 3 Lions official tests against the Springboks, makes sense that, said no one ever! Sort it out World Rugby!” wrote Goode.
So a South African is now the TMO for all 3 @lionsofficial tests against the @Springboks makes sense that, said no one ever! Sort it out @WorldRugby #LionsRugby #LionsSA2021
— Andy Goode (@AndyGoode10) July 22, 2021
“Surely even the most fervent Springbok fan can see why having a South African TMO in Marius Jonker could be an issue on Saturday,” wrote Matthew Southcombe. “Terrible position for him to be in personally too because he can’t win. Let’s hope nothing goes to the TMO but that’s a longshot these days.”
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Surely even the most fervent Springbok fan can see why having a South African TMO in Marius Jonker could be an issue on Saturday.
Terrible position for him to be in personally too because he can't win.
Let's hope nothing goes to the TMO but that's a longshot these days.
— Matthew Southcombe (@MattSouth7) July 23, 2021
Dan Cancian wrote: “Rugby. So professional and yet so mind-boggling amateurish at times. And not for the right reasons.”
Rugby. So professional and yet so mind-boggling amateurish at times. And not for the right reasons. https://t.co/GZUnpz8bdT
— Dan Cancian (@dan_cancian) July 23, 2021
Not everyone is up in arms though. Former Ireland and Munster Alan Quinlan branded the row as mind games on the part of Gatland.
“He is trying to put pressure on Marius Jonker,” said Quinlan on Off the Ball in Ireland. “This goes on right across the board. It doesn’t surprise me that Warren Gatland comes out and plays those games.
“The whole world can see what decisions will be made with Marius Jonker as the TMO.”
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“Sod’s law here though, we’ll get a big call now and Marius Jonker will feel the pressure of the world watching.”
Another fan pointed out that Jonker, one of World Rugby’s most experienced officials, would do just fine. “Granted its not ideal from the perception POV but not sure I see the need for such a kerfuffle about M Jonker being appointed TMO for the Lions tests. He is a respected and highly experienced match official. No reason to assume he will be anything less than scrupulous.”
Granted its not ideal from the perception POV but not sure I see the need for such a kerfuffle about M Jonker being appointed TMO for the @lionsofficial tests. He is a respected and highly experienced match official. No reason to assume he will be anything less than scrupulous
— killian o'brien (@killianobrien23) July 23, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
It could be Doris' day!
3 Go to commentsThe whole thing has blown up because Eben’s words have clearly struck a nerve in Ireland. Otherwise they would just laugh it off. I think some former Irish players, commentators and some Irish fans know deep down this Ireland team started to believe its own press and that a certain amount of arrogance had started to creep in during the World Cup. The topic was actually brought up by Irish pundits on Off the Ball recently. It’s fine to be arrogant if you can back it up. Ireland didn’t.
20 Go to comments‘The Irish are good people'. Why is Goode praising a people who hate his own? Wet wipe.
20 Go to commentsLa mejor final que se puede ver en el emisferio norte.
1 Go to commentsA lot of cope from south africans in the comments. Etzebeth is a liar and a hypocrite; you don’t have to defend him!
20 Go to commentsHe got big and really slow for a flyhalf…not sure he’s relevant in a bok conversation anymore
4 Go to commentsBest tourney team vs best team in the regular season for 3 games in RSA - talk is cheap, let’s see what’s what on the tour
20 Go to commentsOne overlooked statistic from their 2016 winning season is the Huricanes are still the only team in Super rugby history not to concede a try during the playoff rounds.
4 Go to commentsThanks for the article, Nick. The Nienaber blitz D does ask a lot of its scrumhalf. I have been watching JGP on D and he often looks like he has mastered what Nienaber asks for better than Faf de Klerk and Cobus Reinach! 🤣 Impressive season by JGP if I must make an understatement.
22 Go to commentsOkay last one. I promise. I think it’s despicable for Andy Goode to suggest that Eben can’t count to 12. To be fair he only had to count to 8 - the number of Irishmen who DIDN’T say that. Less the 3 kiwis of course. 23 - 12 - 3 = 8. See Joe. I can do maffs.
20 Go to commentsCheers, Nick! How do you see the Reds’ Jock Campbell’s play this year? Not as strong a carrier as Andrew Kellaway or Tom Wright, but does avoid errors. Do you see Joe Schmidt as wanting safety first at 15 or a try-assisting counterattacker?
85 Go to commentsI’m sure this was all just a big misunderstanding. Irishmen and Afrikaaners conversing in a noisey stadium. Not easy to get the right messages across. A minefield.
20 Go to commentsSay what you will about Andy Goode. But he is right about one thing… I’m not sure what that one thing is exactly… but I’m willing to hear him out.
20 Go to commentsAnother article to bait and trigger Irish fans. This must stop.
20 Go to commentsHi Nick. Thanks for your +++ ongoing analysis. Re Vunivalu, He’s been benched recently and it will be interesting to see what Kiss does with him as we enter the backend of SRP. I’m still not sold.
85 Go to commentsIn the fine tradition of Irish rugby, Leinster cheat well and for some reason only known to whoever referees them, they are allowed to get away with it every single game. If teams have not got the physicality up front to stop them getting the ball, they will win every single game. They take out players beyond the ruck and often hold them on the ground. Those that are beyond the ruck and therefore offside, hover there to cause distraction but also to join the next ruck from the side thereby stopping the jackal. The lineout prior to the second try on Saturday. 3 Leinster players left the lineout before the ball was thrown and were driving the maul as soon as the player hit the ground and thereby getting that valuable momentum. They scrummage illegally, with the looshead turning in to stop the opposing tighthead from pushing straight and making it uncomfortable for the hooker. The tighthead takes a step and tries to get his opposite loosehead to drop the bind. Flankers often ‘move up’ and actually bind on the prop and not remain bound to the second row. It does cause chaos and is done quickly and efficiently so that referees are blinded by the illegal tactics. I am surprised opposition coaches when they meet referees before games don’t mention it. I am also surprised that they do not go to the referees group and ask them to look at the tactics used and referee them properly. If they are the better team and win, fair play but a lot of their momentum is gained illegally and therefore it is not a level playing field.
1 Go to commentsI’d be fascinated to see what other candidates you all might have for the Lions captaincy role. Let me know, below 👍
3 Go to comments“ planning for the next cycle….” Sigh ill-advised language Elton old juice bean. Ppersonally glad you self-eliminated yourself, there were better players in the position around you.
4 Go to commentsRegardless of best in world etc. Lawes was outstanding against Leinster and has been all season. Looked like three try saving turnovers. His turnovers also contributed to NH scores. Immense performance.
2 Go to commentsDickson now considered the top ref in England it appears. Good that these series are getting one NH and one SH ref.
2 Go to comments