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Joel Jutge, World Rugby’s head of match officials, has slammed France captain Antoine Dupont for the remarks he made following his team’s exit from the World Cup.
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Following France’s 28-29 loss at the hands of the Springboks in the quarterfinals of the World Cup, the French captain used the post-match press conference to complain about the quality of the officiating on the day.
Jutge has now hit out at the Les Bleus scrumhalf for the remarks he made in an interview with French publication Midi Olympique.
Jutge specified that he does not condone Dupont’s comments, however the former international referee aims to counter the various “movements of abuse and threats” against match officials caused by these declarations.
At the post-match press conference, Dupont said: “There are clear and obvious situations which have not been whistled but I don’t want to get angry… I’m not sure that the refereeing was up to the level of the challenge”.
In an interview granted exclusively to Midi Olympique, the boss of the men with the whistle explains why the content of the Toulouse player’s comments could have a negative impact: “As responsible for the referees, I cannot endorse what Antoine Dupont said, because it gave rise to a terrible wave of abuse and hatred online towards Ben (O’Keeffe).
“But I know the man, and I have no doubt about his moral values and the way he perceives the exchanges between referees and players. He is a huge champion and a good person whom we respect, but I repeat, I do not condone what he said that day. We all know that he was under enormous pressure to return following his injury.”
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Jutge, as the boss of referees, also calls for protecting the profession from the various abuses that can impact match officials and reveals that he is worried about the physical safety of the officials.
“I had anticipated that if France were eliminated in the quarter-finals, it would be difficult for us, because of the emotion it would arouse.
“To be honest, I had thought that it would perhaps be necessary to to be able to physically protect our referees, because I felt a drift coming, with this very strong enthusiasm behind the XV of France.
“It was not necessary because the security at the Stade de France works very well But we must not hide that the days following the quarter-final were difficult.”
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French referees have significantly contributed to some of the worst rugby officials ever. Of more recent times Garces, Poite, Raynal - always refereeing to their own rule book; strict application 1 minute, complete disregard the next. Random unexplainable decisions by French referees filled match highlight reels, closer to watching a sitcom with canned laughter. Raynal in the Bledisloe Cup, clown.
Storm in a teacup. In context of Rassie & co’s shenanigans, this is just not worth the time focusing on.
DuPont's comments are very mild when compared to what would have happened if SA lost. Rassie would have had another major melt down and made another movie length video of himself moaning and groaning. The referees made sure that was avoided at all costs.
Dupont = crybaby.
Jutge: “But I know the man, and I have no doubt about his moral values and the way he perceives the exchanges between referees and players. He is a huge champion and a good person whom we respect, but I repeat, I do not condone what he said that day.”
Rugbypass: “Dupont slammed for comments”
Granted, a bombastic headline, but don’t read too much into the hand-kissing compliments. That’s just a gentle overture, a shrewd lubrication of the delicate, thin French skins, so that the inevitable shove is received with as little pain as possible. The actual message is at the very end. And it’s not miles away from the headline. Just a couple of yards.
And rightfully so. He was being a stereotypical French sore loser. When they’re winning, it’s because how great they are, when they’re losing, it’s the ref’s fault. Give me a break, crybaby. There are no words for how embarrassing this chauvinistic nonsense is.
The notion, that a ref would whistle against the French in France is so ridiculously absurd, I can’t wrap my head around it.
So no, Antoine. You lost, because you got outworked by a team, that wanted it more, was less entitled, and didn’t moan as much.
When your conversion gets charged down by the shortest player on the field, when you miss multiple penalties, when you shank a kick for touch so badly, that you lose territory instead of gaining it, when you’re treading water in the defense so much, that the only players you can scramble to get close to the opposition team’s biggest juggernaught carrying 5m away from your line is two backs, you simply don’t deserve to win, and there is zero blame anywhere else, but in the mirror.
Dupont never accused the ref for the defeat against Ireland in 2023 6N, nor in previous games. He is not known to criticize refereeing in general.
Everyone with a bit of objectivity could notice there were issues with the refereeing. Not even talking about Etzebeth possible knock-on, Kolbe’s charge, or PSDT headbutt, but rather BoK’s leniency regarding breakdown refereeing not in accordance with World Rugby 2023 new regulations. France had to change his style of play following 6N match against Italy for this specific reason.
Thought at the time he was being an extremely sore loser and some sort of punishment was needed.