Rugby World Cup organisers have launched an investigation into claims England coaching staff approached the match officials at halftime in their shattering loss to the Wallabies.
The probe follows an AAP report that two England staff were allegedly involved in a robust exchange with the officials in the tunnel at Twickenham as the players left the field with England trailing 17-3 on Saturday.
Approaching match officials in such circumstances is strictly outlawed and the matter threatens to further embarrass hosts England, already reeling after failing to qualify for the knockout stage.
“World Rugby is investigating an alleged breach by the England coaching team of the match-day communications protocol between match officials and team members or union officials,” said a World Rugby statement released on Monday.
It’s understood there is CCTV footage of the position in the tunnel where the alleged incident took place and this could used in the investigation.
“They have been in contact with us wanting to speak to us, but I don’t know what the process will be,” said England’s assistant coach Andy Farrell, who refused to comment further.
England’s scrum had conceded three first-half penalties as French referee Romain Poite came down hard on their loosehead prop Joe Marler for boring in at an angle.
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika received a formal warning earlier this year after he approached referee Jaco Peyper at half-time during his NSW Waratahs’ win over the Blues in Sydney.
Farrell, whose son Owen Farrell was one of the few good performers for England, had to fight off questions about his role in England’s downfall at a media conference on Monday.
Media reports have spoken of players feeling that Farrell had too much influence in coach Stuart Lancaster’s team selection and were uneasy about rugby league convert Sam Burgess getting a place so soon.
“Four of us as coaches get together and have a selection meeting. You put your two pennies worth in and Stuart makes the call and we all buy into that. It’s unanimous,” Farrell said of selection decisions.
Farrell said Burgess had “worked unbelievably hard and continued to work very hard to make his stamp and give his all for the team.”
He added that there is “devastation in the camp” over defeats by Wales and Australia that led to the historic exit. But he defended Lancaster.
“I think what Stuart has built here is more than those two defeats,” said Farrell.
“Three and a half years under Stuart has been built on solid foundations. He has done marvellous things for this country and this rugby team. He is the hardest-working Englishman that I have ever met.”
Lancaster himself has said he feels he will never get over the failed campaign. Newspapers are clamouring for his departure, though the Rugby Football Union said a review will go on after England’s final World Cup pool game against Uruguay on Saturday.
Meanwhile Japan’s coach Eddie Jones, the former Wallabies mentor who is meant to join South African side the Stormers after the World Cup, said in a Daily Mail column he would “chat” to English bosses about the job if approached.
“There will be a lot of contenders queuing up for his (Lancaster’s) job,” commented Jones.
Clive Woodward, who managed England to their 2003 World Cup triumph, has said he is not keen to return.
Other names mentioned include Mike Ford, the rugby league convert now in charge at Bath, Jake White, the South African who guided the Springboks to their 2007 World Cup success, and Jim Mallinder of Northampton Saints.
Yogi
Guest
No fear of jake. I would be more worried about eddie jones.
Yogi
Guest
Cheikas discussion with the refs was reportedly amiable. This one reportedly "heated". Big difference.
Casper
Guest
Couldn't they just ask the referee?
PeterK
Roar Guru
he didn't confront him, he approached him politley
lassitude
Guest
Just when you thought England couldn't get any stodgier.
lassitude
Guest
" I have never seen a ref who reacted well to being confronted by coaching staff." Worked ok for Cheika Warratahs v Blues.
jaysper
Roar Guru
If these allegations turn out to be true, then these coaches have to be as dumb as dog doo doo. Its one thing to do it at a Super Rugby fixture or a regular test match, but trying to pervert the course of a RWC game is just nuts. I can see these gents getting a nice long holiday from coaching if found guilty.
Dave_S
Guest
Vision, but no sound, presumably. Perhaps they were just saying "It's a fair cop, Guv, we'll try to improve in the second half". Clearly it's a dumb thing to do for any reason, but I'm also in the "let's not rush to judgement until we know all the facts" camp.
Mel R
Roar Rookie
uh...Jake ball?..uh no thanks mate!...truly a scary proposition...please England officials look the other way...
Jameswm
Guest
What do they mean "claims"? There's video footage of it.
Riccardo
Guest
While Sluggy may be the voice of reason here and he has a point these guys have form. That they have been crushed and are under a glaring media spotlight already for their short-comings might down-play the situation anyway. And let's not kid ourselves. Even if there is a transgression, after the insipid slap over the wrist with a wet bus ticket (thanks Spiro) that occurred in Auckland in 2011, the probable outcome is that the tea-lady will be made culpable and miss out on scones.
linz22
Guest
Anybody else find the prospect of jake white coaching the English a little scary?
Sluggy
Roar Guru
Just don't defame anyone unnecessarily. Dancing on graves is un-Australian. We lose, we have an enquiry, we move on. We win, we move on quicker.
soapit
Guest
ir shouldnt affect too much if we muse over the possibilites
Sluggy
Roar Guru
The official statement is pretty scant on detail. It doesn't really identify who is concerned, or what the nature or length of the 'exchange' was. Or what the "match-day communications protocol" says, or which bit was breached. Other media reports do not name names, but only speak of 'two coaches', not including Lancaster. Nathan Grey was asked about it, and said it was the first he'd heard of it. Might all be a storm in a tea cup, might not. I think we should keep our powder dry. Michael Cheika went to talk to the ref at half time in a game against the Blues, and is on a warning.
Adsa
Guest
Agree Handles, I am wallowing in the poms despair and can't wait for the bitter infighting, insinuations and resignations to begin.
RT
Guest
If correct it seems like a really anti productive thing to do. I have never seen a red who reacted well to being confronted by coaching staff. Further surely people know it just can't be done. It demonstrates a level of desperation which must have been palpable in the dressing room at half time. Will be very interesting to see what happens.
Handles
Roar Guru
Why ruin the fun sluggy?
HarryT
Guest
How surprising, TV footage of English transgressions taking a long time before anyone sees it.
Sluggy
Roar Guru
I think its best to wait for the facts to emerge before making any comment on this.