Rosko Specman
Latest news on the Wellington Sevens Final is that referee Matt O’Brein has now apologized for his officiating during the Final. Too little too late, one feels. On the positive side it can only be good for the game if referee’s man up after the match. I also like Neil Powell’s handling of the situation, in terms of his communication with the referee, players and media.
The article below was published on stuff.co.nz earlier today.
The South African Sevens coach says referee Matt O’Brien has apologized over his controversial handling of the Final in Wellington.
O’Brien, who has been refereeing professionally since 2011, reportedly met with Blitzbokke Sevens coach Neil Powell on Wednesday in Sydney with World Rugby Sevens assessor Tappe Henning and they delivered a “heartfelt” apology for his controversial decisions in the Final at the Cake Tin.
The Blitzbokke led 21 / 7 before O’Brien made some questionable calls, including awarding a 9 – 1 penalty count in New Zealand’s favor.
O’Brien, the son of World Rugby Sevens Referees boss Paddy, has been widely criticized around the world for his performance.
Powell said that his side has accepted the apology and were focused on performing in the Sydney Sevens this weekend.
“I sat with him and we went through the 2nd half of the game and he explained his decisions,” said Powell.
“It was really honest and open, and I think he realised at times he had made big mistakes. I think his apologies were sincere. He apologized to me for the way he refereed the game.”
Powell said he was still disappointed with what happened, but added that he is not a guy for records.
“It would have been nice to win it, because we’ve only won Wellington once before. We don’t normally concentrate on the result, but in this case we would have really wanted to win the Sevens there.
“In that aspect we are disappointed in how we lost, but we can’t fault the effort and performance of the players.
“They really put their hearts and bodies on the line, we couldn’t look at 1 game and say there was someone who wasn’t up for it.
“I’m very proud of the guys and the effort they put in. As I said after the tournament, they deserved better than 2nd place.”
NO Matt has not apologised, This from Rugby Heavan:
Referee Matt O’Brien has not apologised over his controversial handling of the Wellington Sevens final between New Zealand and South Africa on Saturday night, World Rugby says.
O’Brien, who has been refereeing professionally since 2011, reportedly met with Bok Sevens coach Neil Powell on Wednesday in Sydney, with World Rugby Sevens assessor Tappe Henning.
Powell told Supersport.com that his side had accepted an apology from O’Brien over the performance but a World Rugby spokesman said there was no such apology and nor was one required.
The Boks led 21-7 before O’Brien made some questionable calls, including awarding a 9-1 penalty count in New Zealand’s favour.New Zealand famously came back and scored three tries in the last three minutes of the match to win the game.
“It is factually incorrect to state that Matt O’Brien issued a ‘heartfelt’ apology to the South Africa Seven coach Neil Powell following last weekend’s Wellington Sevens. This simply did not happen,” the World Rugby spokesman said in an email to Stuff.co.nz.
“Coach feedback is an important part of the 360 degree match officials review process and while O’Brien and Powell did jointly review the performance, there was no apology required and none offered.
“Powell has since informed World Rugby that he was misquoted.”
O’Brien, the son of World Rugby Sevens Referees boss Paddy, has been widely criticised around the world for his performance.
Powell claimed in the Supersport article that he had sat down with O’Brien, and they went through the second half of the game and “he explained his decisions”.
“It was really honest and open, and I think he realised at times he had made big mistakes. I think his apologies were sincere. He apologised to me for the way he refereed the game,” he was reported as saying by Supersport.
Powell said he was still disappointed with what happened, but added that he is not a guy for records.
“It would have been nice to win it, because we’ve only won Wellington once before. We don’t normally concentrate on the result, but in this case we would have really wanted to win the Sevens there.
– Stuff
Its bad when NZ scribes complain about one sided refereeing. Its time World Rugby sorts this nonsense out.
Ok then, screw him… might still be sevens referee of the year.
@ cane: then, by all accounts, maybe he should have Caner. I didn’t watch the final but I did the pool match. I found it quite difficult to reconcile all the penalties(after full time) awarded to the AB’s, until they eventually scored and won the game. Seems the same thing happened in the final. Only worse. One of the reasons I didn’t bother to watch. I’m not a big fan of 7’s so it wasn’t the only reason I have to confess. 🙂
@ Lion4ever: and besides, the Kiwis really don’t need any help from the match officials. They’re sufficiently talented to do it on their own. Makes you wonder about sports betting. just saying.
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