1
'So many things went on': France not happy with a number of incidents
By Ian Cameron
France have indicated that they were less than pleased with a number of refereeing calls made in their 29-28, Rugby World Cup-ending loss to South Africa at the Stade de France.
ADVERTISEMENT
There were a number of calls by referee Ben O’Keeffe which appeared to visibly frustrate France, most notably an alleged slap-down of the ball by Springboks second row Eben Etzebeth with the line beckoning for France.
Etzebeth was also yellow-carded following a challenge in which contact was made with the head of France tighthead Uini Atonio, which wasn’t upgraded on review.
While head coach Fabien Galhie and captain Antoine Dupont spoke of their sadness at the result, there was more than a little bitterness about some of the New Zealand official’s decisions.
“There are so many key moments. When you’re leading 7-0 and (Eben) Etzebeth cut off the ball. That was a strong moment for us and we weren’t able to finish off. Soon afterwards it was 7-7. Those are key moments…which add up. So many things went on.
“I’m thinking of our supporters, families, people who believe in us daily, who were around us, who put in all the work. The players, of course, our France group which tonight has to be brave.
Antoine Dupont, who returned from a cheekbone injury suffered against Namibia – also voiced his disappointment at a number of the calls.
“Well, what did you think of it? It’s hard to talk about things because there is a lot of disappointment, a lot of frustration.
“There were a few clear things where the whistle wasn’t blown.
“I don’t want to be a bad loser and moan about the refereeing but I’m not sure the level of refereeing was up the level of the game today.”
Meanwhile, South Africa head coach Jacques Nienaber was happy with officiating, although he conceded that given his side had won the match, it was maybe expected.
ADVERTISEMENT
“I thought Ben was good on the day,” said Nienaber. “You would say we won and that’s why I’m saying that. We tried to take the referee out of the game – we scored four tries, and missed one or two, and one from the tee. We managed it well. I thought his communication on the day was excellent in terms of the decisions he made.”
Bok captain Siya Kolisi also lauded the referee’s performance: “From our side, all we can do is play rugby. We can’t control the decisions the ref makes. We will have to look at the game but the communications with him and the calls he made were fair. I would never discredit the referee. Obviously Antoine [Dupont] has his own opinion.”
The Springboks will now face England in the semi-finals next week in Paris.
Hello everybody, first of all, I would like to react about the french lost. I pledge guilty, I’m french. Please keep cool, no need to insult each other for a game. Of course I am frustrated about the result. The SA were very strong indeed but to be honest, The referee never asked for a TMO during all the game, how many times did you see that before?
That’s the question. We have lost, this is it and we can’t replay the game. The only question we have to ask, why so many differences between the referees. I watched all the games and I saw really big big difference concerning the decisions for the same fault. It’s questioning and the board has to work on it for the future. Good luck for all the teams and may the best win. A last word, the french supporters have no responsibilities on corruption Laporte concern. He has lost his job and is being prosecuted now.
Finally there are more serious things.
I had to join in. I BLOODY LOVE this tread 😂😂
What ever happened in the game, Ramos missed a kick. If he slots it France win.
Same shit with SA vs Ireland, missed kicks lost the Boks the game.
No about of crying can change that.
Kiwi here- okeefe had a nightmare- clearly influenced by Rassie’s mind games ( which he should be able to ignore). The Estebeth knock down would have been reviewed properly in 99 of a 100 tests, the final bok pen “won” by Smith wasn’t- and that was clear on tv that he went past the ball before touching it, the endless yelling “no no no” at players in the ruck etc. the last one particularly annoying- all the players know what they are doing- the ref is a law enforcer not a coach! An amateur display we won’t see him back at this RWC. The Boks played him and played brilliantly btw - who knows what would have happened with a decent ref- it’s all what’s outer. But okeefe was a shambles.
Keep crying you salty frogs…. You talk about your supporters and being “robbed” at home…. Fuck off…this shouldn’t have even been a France World Cup …. It was unanimously voted in 2017 for SA to host this tournament but your corrupt cunt LaPorte made sure that didnt happen. So get fucked
For me the ref wasn’t perfect but was fine. The French should take their loss on the chin. No time for poor losers.
France wuz robbed, I tell yuh. What was that little bloke doing getting anywhere near Ramos for the conversion?? Never seen anything like it! Having said that, France could - and should- have been 14-0 up within ten minutes if that twit at outside centre had passed the ball rather than hogging it for personal glory. and here’s another thing: who in God’s name wants to see another boring grind between the Boks and the AB machine? I won’t watch it. Sour grapes? You betta believe. Absolutely bitter. The result makes me want to spit - as did the defeat of our Irish heroes by the monotonous ABs. Come on Europe! Come on the turgid English - even of they are managed by a bloke with a nose made out of clay by a child! Borthwick (yes him) is an inverted snob to boot: won’t pick Arundell. Why? because he went to public school! Pathetic. So we’re stuck with Johnny May and Owen ‘on Ilkley Moor bar tat!’ Farrell. On second thoughts - come on Argentina! (They’re all Italian anyway.)
“Bryce Lawrence refereed the quarterfinal in the 2011 rugby world cup between South Africa and Australia. He performed poorly, making mistakes which affected the outcome of the match.”
This is quoted from Wikipedia. 2011 SA was robbed of a world cup we would surely have won.
My point? Referees are not always perfect. I personally think the yellow against E E was unwarranted, I think he made quite a few mistakes in favour of the French. The French will clearly see it otherwise. However, I don’t think the referee determined the outcome in this absolutely brilliant match. The greater insult is that these were not the semis. France and Ireland should at the very least have gotten the opportunity to play for the bronze medal. Not England Argentina.
South Africa has had decades of poor decisions going against them … when we moan about the ref the world call us “bad losers”, when our rugby management says something they are penalised and banned from the stadiums … now the French 🍟 can do that and get no dressing down?? Where's the fairness ?
From the game I watched last night, the replay show Eben clearly played that ball backwards and he went in low on the tackle… so when legal ball play is not penalised , and when your yellow cards are not upgraded to red you French cry like schoolyard babies. Meanwhile your loose play had French players diving over the ball to cut off any contest, our players when they contest are booed from your crowd and penalised for fair contest… it was so bad our players were asking the ref for permission to contest eventually … and when your players go down they did not release the ball. But guess what… no penalties. When the French entered the ruck from the side… no penalties. As far as I am concerned the ref was blind to so much French illegal play and swayed by your baying crowd. So go away and sulk some more… I really thought the French team played well and it was an awesome quarter final. Now stop being poor sissy losers
DON'T SQUEAL!! - Dr Danie Craven
In 1979 or 1980, Doc Craven, that late, great doyen of South African Rugby, once addressed a Valedictory Assembly at one of the great rugby schools of its time - Queen' College.
His message came through. Don't squeal! Not on the rugby field. Not off the rugby field. When you are tackled, when you are hurt, when you lose, when you briefly lose your support - either on the field or off the field - Don't Squeal!"
Get up, put up! Play up! Bear the knocks with honour! Be a better man than those that knock you down.
Just don't squeal!
Johnny Sexton and Owen Farrell are cast from the same mould. Squealers both! Squealing at the ref, squealing at the opposition, squealing when they lose; squealing when things don't go their own way.
Many a schoolboy (and these days a schoolgirl) could learn from these examples of what NOT to do!
France lost mainly because they had no idea how to defend the high cross-field kick. SA used the same tactic to beat England in the final four years ago.
Yes a few bizarre ref decisions. The hit with shoulder on Tomkin’s head had to be a straight red but ref didn’t even give a penalty. Were the rugby laws changed before the World Cup Started. Also technically a straight red for head on head tackle by Etzebeth. Being tall, 6ft 8ins not mitigating circumstances even if bad tackle caused by poor technique and not malice. Likewise Curry should have had a yellow card at least for his no arm tackle or trip.
South Africa think outside the box. I can not remember ever seeing before a team taking a scrum when the ball had been marked. Gatland’s attacking game consists almost entirely of unsuccessful Box Kicks.
The on field Refs no sensible support from Video Officials who contributed to the big game changing wrong decisions.
I thought otherwise O’Keffe was good as was Barnes in high pressure matches.