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Boks fans and even a former player go after Luke Pearce in wake of loss
By Ian Cameron
Despite what many neutrals saw as an exceptional refereeing performance – Springboks fans and even a former player have gone after Luke Pearce in the wake of their shock defeat to the All Blacks in Johannesburg on Saturday.
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Ian Foster’s New Zealand ran out 35-23 victors over the Boks in the second of their two games on South African soil.
It’s a win that few predicted after a display of dominance from the hosts a week earlier and it hasn’t gone down well with SA fans – who have sought to scapegoat Pearce for the loss.
Even former Springboks were getting in on the act, with Breyton Paulse posting: “The Boks certainly didnt deserve to win tonight but the ref made some really bad calls at critical times that took our oemf away, not good at all!!”
The Boks certainly didnt deserve to win tonight but the ref made some really bad calls at critical times that took our oemf away,not good at all!!
— Breyton Paulse (@BreytonPaulse) August 13, 2022
Dylan Jack wrote: “Luke Pearce yellow carded Willemse for a first cynical infringement. Now he’s giving warnings to the All Blacks for cynically collapsing the Bok maul.”
Luke Pearce yellow carded Willemse for a first cynical infringement. Now he's giving warnings to the All Blacks for cynically collapsing the Bok maul.
— Dylan Jack (@dylmjack) August 13, 2022
And there were plenty more in that vein:
Luke Pearce is having a shocker
— Darren (@SaffasRugby) August 13, 2022
Luke Pearce will be gutted to not get MOTM
— Sportbilly (@sportbillysays) August 13, 2022
The All Blacks (read A.Savea) were so good and probably deserved the win but Luke Pearce was absolutely disgraceful #RSAvNZL
— Nick Wright (@nickizzlewright) August 13, 2022
A dare you to find a more cynical refereeing display than Luke Pearce here. Got the microscope out for the Boks on every single play. Not so much for the ABs.
— Matt Lawlor (@mklawlor) August 13, 2022
Don’t celebrate try just yet. This ref has found a Springbok forward pass from 2001. #RSAvNZL
— Rory Petzer (@RoryPetzer) August 13, 2022
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The complaints from South African fans were in stark contrast to neutrals, who widely lauded a superb performance from the Gallagher Premiership whistler.
RugbyPass’ Ben Smith wryly noted: “I, for one, am disappointed Luke Pearce missed 25 tackles out there on the field. Someone, somewhere, should do something about that.”
https://twitter.com/bensmithrugby/status/1558743967730057216
Respected Australian journalist Christy Doran noted: “Luke Pearce’s officiating of last night’s Springboks- All Blacks Test was superb. Well done. Clear, concise and wanting the game to be played at speed. Great Test. The Rugby Championship is alive. Great drama about this year’s tournament.”
Luke Pearce’s officiating of last night’s Springboks- All Blacks Test was superb. Well done.
Clear, concise and wanting the game to be played at speed.
Great Test. The Rugby Championship is alive. Great drama about this year’s tournament.
— Christy Doran (@ChristypDoran) August 14, 2022
Journalist Steffan Thomas wrote: “I personally thought Luke Pearce was flawless. Can’t think of a single decision he got wrong. Top class performance.”
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I personally thought Luke Pearce was flawless. Can’t think of a single decision he got wrong. Top class performance https://t.co/XQAKo4M6dB
— Steffan Thomas (@Steffan_Thomas1) August 13, 2022
Squidge Rugby observed how Pearce – like Nigel Owens before him – is nearly always involved in exceptionally good matches: “If you’re ever trying to figure out which fixtures will be absolute bangers, it’s easier to just search for matches Luke Pearce is refereeing than check which teams are playing.”
If you’re ever trying to figure out which fixtures will be absolute bangers, it’s easier to just search for matches Luke Pearce is refereeing than check which teams are playing.
— Squidge Rugby (@SquidgeRugby) August 13, 2022
South African journalist Brendan Nel wrote that: “I didn’t have an issue with Luke Pearce’s reffing. I may have disagreed with a few decisions, but nothing major. Telling point was the obstruction – we didn’t have a great angle on the big screen, so want to watch that again before commenting” and later “Sorry, won’t jump on the bash the ref bandwagon. Definitely didn’t get the rub of the green but the Boks lost 4 lineouts on their own throw, they were poor defensively. The bomb squad backfired through injury and we were left with just one option for the aerial battle.”
Sorry, won't jump on the bash the ref bandwagon. Definitely didn't get the rub of the green but the Boks lost 4 lineouts on their own throw, they were poor defensively.
The bomb squad backfired through injury and we were left with just one option for the aerial battle.— Brenden Nel (@Brendennel) August 14, 2022
Newcastle Falcons media manager Mark Smith Tweeted that Pearce’s performance was top draw: “Man of the match: Luke Pearce. Refereeing masterclass.”
Man of the match: Luke Pearce.
Refereeing masterclass.
— mark smith (@markismith50) August 13, 2022
Former Northampton Saints’ lock and now head of player affairs at the RPA Christian Day observed: “Enjoyed that first half. NZ looking a lot more like the All Blacks. SA back into it though just before HT and looking like they have solidified the set piece with an early change or two. Luke Pearce communicates very well and keeping the pace of game high.”
Enjoyed that first half. NZ looking a lot more like the All Blacks. SA back into it though just before HT and looking like they have solidified the set piece with an early change or two. Luke Pearce communicates very well and keeping the pace of game high.
— Christian Day (@christianday) August 13, 2022
Pearce – at just 34 – is widely seen as one of the best referees in the world, and his performance in Ellis Park yesterday will only further that reputation, despite what some South African fans might say.
The ref was shocking. I switched off after the Mapimpi try was disallowed. So obvious the ref was cheating. As for 'neutrals', we have english (ref) and New Zealanders (beneficiaries) saying he was great. Hard to find anyone else.
What a load f moaners
There were foibles from the ref for both teams.
He missed a couple of forward passes between Boks forwards, in both halves, and seemed to allow the SA backs to be slightly offside (like last week) for many defensive manoeuvres. He also allowed the Bokke forwards to go across rucks, off their feet too often, especially later on.
Overall though, I believe it was the best reffing performance involving the ABs this year so far.
Top notch Mr. Pearce.
Everyone loves bashing the Boks and saying how arrogant Bok fans are. What a negative clickbait style article to post on this website, clearly posted to wind people up and provoke a reaction. Congratulations on being a low class journalist.
I think the yellow in the first few minutes was exceptionally harsh. Anyone who thinks that was clearly a cynical action is seriously one eyed. Thats what started the Saffa fans looking at the ref. Besides that the ref denied a try to Lukhanyo Am after a clear Sam Whitelock rip, which he then called a knock on. The call on Jayden Hendricks obstruction was right but unlucky. The 6’6 Kiwi lock really struggled to handle the bump from the 5ft9 Bok scrumhalf. It changed the game from a 2 point game to a 10 point game. But dont gimme this “neutral” observers kuk. Show me a Kiwi, Ozzie or Brit who wanted the boks to win and I will show you a liar.
The only obvious call he got wrong was when he didn't give one of the Boks a yellow card for a really bad high tackle, NZ scored and he didn't go back for it.
Come on Saffas, unlike you to blame the ref when you lose. A couple of iffy decisions sure but that's par for the course. I thought he reffed the game pretty well, better than last week's pedantic twit.
Lets wait for the video diatribe whinge from water tactician LOL. boks got the rub of the green all day long..on this game. glad AB won
I remember seeing a headline last week which read, "South African Rugby Calls Out 'Whinging All Blacks'"
I thought the refereeing really helped the Boks as he blew the whistle so often against both sides making the game so stop start which gave the unfit Bok forwards plenty of time to get their breath back. Unfortunately for the Boks, Willemse and Am's fantastic attacking play actually helped exhaust the big Bok forwards as they tried to keep up and support them.