Article from Sport24 by Rob Houwing
Alain Rolland is the latest referee to find himself public enemy No 1 in the eyes of the South African rugby public and commentators.
Make no mistake, New Zealand were good value for their second thumping of South Africa on the trot in the Vodacom Tri-Nations at Wellington on Saturday.
This time the margin of victory was 14 points, rather than last week’s 20, so it remained worryingly clear-cut.
But the Boks were better at the soggy Westpac Stadium, if that is any comfort — and their task was not helped at all by Rolland’s all too clearly jaundiced showing in favour of the home side.
Perhaps the very dubious “legend” of Bakkies Botha means John Smit’s side are going to suffer for a while, whether consciously or not, at the hands of some whistle-men tarring the rest of the troops unjustly with the Botha brush.
But Rolland made a crucial, match-influencing decision as early as the fourth minute which rocked the revenge-seeking Boks right back on their feet.
Having awarded them a kickable penalty which would almost certainly have meant the morale-boosting lead in the contest, he promptly reversed it after what seemed a reasonably innocuous altercation between Danie Rossouw and All Black captain Richie McCaw, simultaneously giving the disbelieving Bok lock a sin-binning.
Just as galling for Bok supporters, though, was that Rolland appeared no less well-disposed to the All Blacks for the remainder of the match, often penalising the Boks at the rucks and in the tackle when there was clear evidence he should have acted the other way in identical situations.
Indeed, fetcher McCaw got away with murder, in terms of skirting his own yellow-carding, getting a “no more” warning from Rolland on one occasion and then, remarkably, being handed what was termed an “official” last warning to save his bacon!
Rolland also took no yellow-card action when Rene Ranger blatantly shoulder-charged Bok fullback Zane Kirchner in the 35th minute.
During SuperSport commentary on the game, former Bok captain Bob Skinstad was moved to say: “He’s (only) reffing one side here.”
And afterwards there was animated studio discussion, with national flyhalf icon Naas Botha saying: “He’s blown like a home-town ref: he kept on ‘warning’ the All Blacks and it was obviously frustrating the Boks; you could hear them talking to him about it.”
Ashwin Willemse, the former Bok wing, said Rolland’s decision-making had “made a major impact on the game” and added that “interpretation” was making things too easy for referees at times.
“He made it very clear he was going to give the All Blacks the benefit of (any) doubt.”
Anchor Darren Scott weighed in on the Ranger high-tackle matter: “If that had been Butch James he would have been sent to Siberia.”
Captain Smit was surprisingly diplomatic in the pitch-side interview after the final whistle: “I was very happy with our set-pieces … (but) we weren’t allowed too much fast ball.”
He didn’t need to say much more.
The various experts’ comments were likely to have struck many South African chords in living rooms … but they also shouldn’t disguise the fact that the Boks have mounting problems, Rolland or no Rolland.
Ooshuizen playing well still 5 ahead. Just needs to par from here and no bogey he will win it.
Puma
i agree on Ruan, really made impact.
Flo i dont know, but Brussow was missed, we also need to look at the Combo, although Schalk Burger played like a man possessed he might just play away from the game plan. Not that i am saying he did but look at the AB’s they play as a unit.
@ superBul:32 – Burger played okay yesterday Super, but somehow think if he is to play maybe let him play 7 and bring back Brussow at 6.
See Casey is only 4 behind now. Maybe Oosthuizen needs to get a birdie or two just to keep the pressure off.
@ Puma: Burger at 7 only if Juan is not game fit. Juan still our best 7. Damn we miss him and FdP. Also another quality wing. JPP played well yesterday so did Mvovo. G. Van der Heever too wont let the team down. Need to look at selections once the team is back home. For now though play Aplon at 14 and Ruan must start, no question about that.
the ideal player for yesterdays game was Dewald Potgieter playing with Schalk
@ superBul:35 – Super, After Casey’s triple bogey, Oosthuizen leads by 8 😀 Hope he keeps it up.
Go Oosthuizen.
@ superBul:Super, Yes or Burger moving to 7 and Stegmann at 6. Need a out and out fetcher I think.
Oosthuisen now leading comfortably, just keep your head man.
I was at San Lameer for the Sanlam Cancer tournament when he was still a youngster. Dr Carl Niewoudt the SAGU chairman was talking about him then, think he went later that year to represent the Springboks in South America. Hell i would love it if he takes this crown.
Eisenhower Trophy 2002 with Scwartzel
SuperBul & Rugbybal
Okay, very clear that my opinion is not welcome – duly noted & I will not further burden you with have to read or read past it.
@ superBul:
Comments @ rugbybal:
Pathetic comments gents, really pathetic, crossing a line where you loose even more face…..
take on the AB’s on the field, not the supporters for stating their opinion…..
39@ Rugby_Princess:
R_P, I have taken those who have offended to task…. those comments were in blatant disregard to our policy here.
Do not stay away, if you feel aggrieved, mail me, you’ve got my address.
Rugby-Talk will not condone actions such as these, and I apologise on behalf of everything sensible in this world.
I hope you read this!
Hell, I stay away from this blog for a day for some R & R and things run riot.
Rugby_Princess wrote:
Sorry RP, I did not mean to offend you. I hope we can put this behind us.
Sorry if i offended you i will sit in the corner.
maybe i must leave , take a self imposed yellow card
42@ rugbybal:
43@ superBul:
7 Chops with a blunt axe on your zabers, chopped by your own spouses, is your punishment!
Hehehe
@ grootblousmile:
come on mail me my sins, i still wonder what was it that broke the girls spirit. Come on tell me.
@ rugbybal:
@ superBul:
Respect.
45@ superBul:
Hey, if I had to mail you all your sins, I would be up all night!
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