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The World Rugby delay that left annoyed Lions calling Joe Schmidt
Warren Gatland has finally revealed the timeline regarding the Lions belatedly finding out about the appointment of South African Marius Jonker as TMO for the fractious Test series versus the Springboks which will conclude this weekend after a bruising few controversial weeks for the sport. The Lions boss also admitted that he contacted Joe Schmidt, World Rugby’s director of rugby and high performance, to try and get clarification as to how the governing body didn’t have a better contingency plan in place in case something went wrong regarding the availability of any of the officials appointed for the series.
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While referees Nic Berry, Ben O’Keeffe and Mathieu Raynal, the three-strong group appointed as the series referees and touch judges, arrived in South Africa without a hitch and have remained healthy, New Zealander Brendon Pickerill was unable to travel. However, rather than have another official from overseas on standby to fly in, World Rugby instead opted to appoint local South African official Jonker as TMO.
Gatland insisted he has no problem regarding the integrity of Jonker officiating at a Lions series involving his home nation. What he does have an issue with is how late in the day the Lions were made aware of the change, while he was also exasperated that World Rugby didn’t have a better Plan B ready to use in case of an emergency.
“I don’t want to comment on his [Jonker’s] performance but we found out on the Wednesday night before the first Test,” said Gatland, shedding light on an appointment that has become quite contentious in the two weeks since then. “Our understanding was that it was going to be Brendon Pickerill and we only found out subsequently that World Rugby had known for at least a week or so that there was a possibility he wasn’t going to be travelling to South Africa. That is what raised our concerns.
“We weren’t notified about that and why there wasn’t a contingency in place. Every four years you have the World Cup and how important the World Cup is, and the next biggest thing on the World Rugby calendar is the Lions and you don’t want to be in a position where any of the match officials can be potentially criticised or questioned.
"They have inadvertently dragged us into it"
– Lions vs Springboks series row takes yet another fresh twist #CastleLionsSeries #LionsTour2021 #LionsRugbyhttps://t.co/heZOgAWrKp
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 3, 2021
“We have already had that where these officials have been accused of being disrespected and having not made the right calls and potentially been influenced, so that has been disappointing. Everyone needs to make sure we respect the officials as much as we can. They have a difficult job. Without them, we couldn’t play the game and there is a lot at stake. I understand at times we all get frustrated about certain decisions and certain calls and sometimes you have just got to suck it up and get on with it. We have been trying to go through the process of talking to the referees Wednesday or Thursday afternoon.
“There are a couple of things that I want to go through, ask them on some of the calls that are made and some of the decisions, just take me through the process please and let me understand your thought process so that I understand that and can convey that message to my players. That is what you do. We don’t always agree and that is part of the thing that goes on, part of the process in terms of having that robust debate or discussion afterwards about how just as coaches and players we understand and learn but also hopefully if it’s the other way around the referee has seen our point of view or the sorts of things that we are trying to do as well.”
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Lions boss Gatland added that he made representations to Schmidt after belatedly learning about Jonker’s TMO appointment. “I did, yes. I spoke to Joe Schmidt who is involved and I asked him to just please give me some clarity on the decision and just asking why plans hadn’t been put in place with not just the TMO but what happened if the referees couldn’t make it out here. “We [the Lions] had been putting in contingency plans for a number of things that if anything happened with Covid and the way things were that we were covered. Like I said, there has never been any question about the integrity of the people involved, it’s just what we questioned was the process.”
World Rugby, though, maintain that a contingency plan was in place, that teams knew it was always likely that the contingency would be non-neutral, and this had been communicated for all Test games across a challenging July window. It is also believed that the Lions were informed of Pickerill’s non-availability shortly after World Rugby were informed.
CLEARED:
The England tighthead can now provide impact off the 3rd Test Lions bench #CastleLionsSeries #LionsTour2021 #LionsRugby
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 3, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
What a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
14 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
9 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
2 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
8 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
8 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
9 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
8 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.
14 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.
8 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
9 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
9 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,
14 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.
14 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.
8 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
9 Go to comments