1
Standard of refereeing brought into question after Romain Poite's 'worst game ever' in Glasgow
Exeter’s thrilling 31-all draw at Scotstoun ended on a high when Stuart Hogg’s 60-metre last gasp penalty kick hit the crossbar, coming so close to snatching an away win.
ADVERTISEMENT
The match was a great spectacle but had fans infuriated by the standard of refereeing from Romain Poite, who was described as having his ‘worst game ever’.
Fans from both sides were critical of the French ref, but those from Glasgow took exception, calling his performance ‘utter gash’ from an ‘absolute cowboy’.
He was labeled ‘easily the worst ref in rugby’ and a ‘disgrace’.
What a @GlasgowWarriors game today. Boys were firing again; playing exciting and entertaining rugby to watch. Chiefs did a pretty decent job of playing the ref. and Poite was true to form: utter gash. Would've been amazing to have been at Scotstoun, for it though. #GLAvEXE
— Simon (@Simurnie) January 11, 2020
Poite was terrible (again). @Glasgowwarriors should have been down to 14. Not sure the benefit to Exeter of free kicks for infringements at their own line out?!! #glavexe
— steve kesterton (@steviekes74) January 11, 2020
https://twitter.com/DougallChops/status/1216052294569091073
https://twitter.com/Simontaylor66/status/1216039331015643137
https://twitter.com/wattersk10/status/1216036598841823233
Dear of dear, Poite's worst game ever??#GLAvEXE
— John 'Max' Maxwell (@RuckinRugby) January 11, 2020
https://twitter.com/briever1/status/1216050218275430400
@ChampionsCup Romaine Poite should be fired and never allowed to referee ever again. Atrocious, if he’s not fired I’d at least hope he is sent to some sort of referee training camp of qualification scheme. It is shameful to have such poor standard of refereeing. #GLAvEXE
— Kyle Steyn no1 fan worldwide 🏴🇳🇿 (@WeeDarcyMarryMe) January 11, 2020
https://twitter.com/bxlalgbxl/status/1216043640520310790
Doesn't seem to matter what game Romain Poite referees but there is always some kinda controversy or missed decisions #GLAvEXE #ERC #EuropeanRugbyChampions
— Gordon 🥃 (@Tuilalcaron) January 11, 2020
Referee Poite, his TMO and his TJs are having a mare …. missing so much #GLAvEXE
— Steve (@charliewasp) January 11, 2020
ADVERTISEMENT
https://twitter.com/CxitlinTweets/status/1216037162329812993
https://twitter.com/DougallChops/status/1216035077441949696
Farce of a decision from Poite. Gibbons should be gone for good. Citing commissioner will be preparing his report as we speak. #GLAvEXE
— Ross Barnett (@rbarnett08) January 11, 2020
Poite’s decisions included issuing a yellow card to Callum Gibbons for dangerously flying off-feet with a shoulder into the head an Exeter player at a ruck. The consensus from the commentary was that the incident deserved a red card.
The breakdown was a contentious area of the game that left fans confused as Poite’s leniency allowed questionable acts to commence.
Glasgow received another yellow card in the second half to hooker Fraser Brown, much to the confusion of Glasgow’s captain who couldn’t understand Poite’s explanation.
ADVERTISEMENT
With 10 minutes remaining with the scores at 31-all Poite sent a referral to the TMO after a try to midfielder Sam Johnson that was called back for a forward pass but refused to look at possible double-movements on Exeter’s tries despite protests.
Poite famously came under fire two years in a clash between the same two sides in a Champions Cup fixture in 2018 for yellow carding Nic White and awarding a penalty try for a deliberate knockdown. White was attempting a tackle on Finn Russell at the time.
The Rugby Pod discuss Nigel Wray leaving Saracens:
Comments on RugbyPass
Think you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
5 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
5 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
7 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
7 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,
12 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.
12 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.
5 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
7 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 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.
12 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.
5 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.
5 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
12 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?
45 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.
12 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
12 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.
12 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 comments