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Waratahs and Wallabies coach, Michael Cheika, has been warned by the administrators of Super Rugby for approaching referee, Jaco Peyper, during the Waratahs Round 7 match against the Blues on March 28.
It is understood that Cheika entered the match officials’ room during the half-time break to discuss the officiating of the game until that point.
Peyper and Cheika exchanged words and then the second half resumed.
The Waratahs held a one-point lead over the Blues at half-time, despite a penalty count of eight to one favouring the Blues. As the second half played out, the Blues would wrangle a slim lead with 25 minutes to play, before a string of penalty goals would put the game back in the home side’s favour.
The penalty count in the second half of the match was nine to one in favour of the Waratahs.
The Roar understands that Cheika was contacted last week by Super Rugby’s governing body, SANZAR, requesting an explanation.
In the wake of the incident, Waratahs chief executive Greg Harris stated: “Michael was not even aware of that ruling and would not have approached the match officials’ room if he had been aware of it.”
Cheika was fined $6000 and banned from involvement of any kind in all forms of rugby at any level for a period of six months, suspended until 31 August 2015; a ban that would be triggered by a subsequent proven breach of the applicable Code of Conduct.
SANZAR deemed that the circumstances showed there was no breach of the SANZAR code of conduct, with no further action to be taken despite the code stating no discussions should take place between match officials and coaches during a match.
The official statement from SANZAR follows:
SANZAR confirms that it received a formal complaint in regard to the alleged conduct of Waratahs head coach, Michael Cheika, following the Waratahs v Blues match played at Allianz Stadium on Saturday 28 March.
After undertaking a thorough investigation, including receiving statements from all parties involved, it was determined that Mr Cheika had approached the match referee, Jaco Peyper, in front of the other match officials to seek clarification on a scrum interpretation during the half time break of the Waratahs v Blues match.
In a short and polite exchange that took place in the referee’s change room, Mr Peyper responded to Mr Cheika’s request for clarification. No other issues were discussed. Both Mr Cheika and Mr Peyper have subsequently acknowledged this exchange should not have taken place and apologised.
There is no evidence that the referee was influenced by the exchange in his handling of the match, nor in the circumstances has there been a breach of the SANZAR Code of Conduct and no further action will be taken.
SANZAR has issued formal warnings to both Mr Cheika and Mr Peyper and has written to all referees and coaches, reminding them that no discussions should take place between the match officials and coaches during a match.
The New Zealand Herald has responded to the incident by raising concerns regarding SANZAR’s intentions to “cover up” Cheika and Peyper’s half-time conversation.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.