An exasperated Michael Cheika took the extraordinary step of inviting the referee and his assistants to the post-match press conference after Australia’s series-deciding loss to Ireland.
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The Wallabies coach was so bewildered by a series of contentious calls that went against his team in the 20-16 loss on Saturday night that he approached the referees’ liaison officer to have him ask French whistleblower Pascal Gauzere and TMO Ben Skeen to explain themselves to the media.
Cheika wanted to refer the inevitable questions about their performance to Gauzere but said the referee “didn’t want to” take up the offer.
“I don’t want to be the guy who looks like he’s a moaner because that’s how it always ends up,” Cheika said.
“You get portrayed as a moaner or a whinger, so let’s just get on with it and they can answer it themselves, to be honest.
“I don’t know if that happens in rugby but …”
The most puzzling call came in the 31st minute when Israel Folau was sin-binned for what Skeen deemed to be unnecessary contact from the Wallabies fullback on Peter O’Mahony during an aerial contest that resulted in the Ireland captain being concussed after landing awkwardly on the Allianz Stadium turf.
Replays showed Folau clearly going for the ball and not O’Mahony.
Cheika was asked if World Rugby needed to further clarify rules around such aerial challenges in light of French fullback Benjamin Fall being sent off by Australian referee Angus Gardner last week against New Zealand only for the red card to be retrospectively cancelled by the governing body.
“The key word these days is ‘clear’ and ‘obvious’, isn’t it? I don’t know anything that’s clear and obvious in a game of footy. Nothing, right? But they run with it,” Cheika said.
“Look at Angus last week. I really felt for him. He made the decision based on rules that they give him and then they left him out (to hang). Took away the red card, basically said you made the wrong call.
“So I’m not sure how you can clarify it any more or clarify it any less, to be honest.
“Rugby, there’s no black and white in this game. It’s a lot of grey and it’s about the interpretations in the grey so, yeah, I don’t know how they can clarify it, so there’s not much point in me asking about clarification.”
Cheika said he’d tried to clarify interpretations around tackling players without the ball with officials between the first and second Tests, only to be left frustrated by seeing Wallabies halfback Will Genia break his arm in an off-the-ball challenge last Saturday in Melbourne.
Cheika was also furious about a penalty late in the game, when the series was on the line, against Australia’s replacement hooker Tolu Latu for not releasing the tackled Irish player before winning a turnover.
“The only people that can answer the questions are the referee or the referees’ boss,” he said.
“Really, or if we’re fair dinkum, they’re the only people that can answer it because I’m only going to give you one side of the story. I’m sure Ireland will have another side of the story.
“But it’s all little things, I don’t know. I’ll just keep it to myself.”
Ash
Guest
I don’t think too many AB supporters will have current issues with refereeing.
Machiavelli
Guest
Anyone else notice that at one stage the tv screen flashed the reason for a penalty, the commentators called it for something else and then the ref gave another ruling. League may be simplistic but at least it makes it easier to follow for the crowd. And state of.origin. what a product that is. And i have followed rugby first for 30 years......
cuw
Guest
@ PIRU I do not think reffing is as good as it has ever been. there have been changes over the last few years - like the higher responsibilities to touchies and the use of technology and TMO. but the perceived improvements have not happened with such additions. or in another sense - the use of technology in some other games like tennis and cricket and even footy now , have yielded much more improvements and satisfaction to many. less complaints - less issues and better judgements overall. but in rugger - it is still courting controversies .....
Phil
Guest
What are you on about,shooter?It's not a red card offence anyway(if he landed on his head,yes)and if what Folau did is "pulling the man off balance",with a slight brushing of his arm,then we should just ban anyone from leaving the ground for any reason.
PiratesRugby
Guest
Folau should've been red carded. He put his hand on the Irish player after Folau had lost chance to get the ball. But for Folau's contact, Irish player would've come down safely. Instead he landed badly and had to go off. Could've ended up in a wheelchair. Folau'a been cited? Should get 2 weeks.
piru
Roar Rookie
This is professional football and the refs are being paid more then most of the players they are referring No way is this true You might be very surprised at the level of pay refs get considering the responsibility they are expected to take on http://tsmsportz.com/money/rugby-referees-salaries/ (I apologise for the horrid writing - I assume it's been translated
piru
Roar Rookie
The real question is – is the reffing material worse – or – has the whining just increased? Nail on the head Ralph Reffing is as good as it's ever been imo, the difference now is that - ref decisions are pulled apart by the media - fans and coaches refuse to accept that sometimes calls don't go their way - social media restraints means simplistic moaning rather than in depth discussion is the norm
Ralph
Roar Guru
The real question is - is the reffing material worse - or - has the whining just increased?
Ralph
Roar Guru
Yes, if Cheika doesn't want to be the centre of attention he has to stop feeding the beast. Otherwise I am with Jerry, he does want to be the centre of attention and he is feeding the beast.
piru
Roar Rookie
The most puzzling call came in the 31st minute when Israel Folau was sin-binned for what Skeen deemed to be unnecessary contact from the Wallabies fullback on Peter O’Mahony during an aerial contest that resulted in the Ireland captain being concussed after landing awkwardly on the Allianz Stadium turf. Replays showed Folau clearly going for the ball and not O’Mahony. If you were puzzled by this call I'd suggest you weren't paying attention - it was clearly described.
Ralph
Roar Guru
Agree, silly stunt. We don't need trial by media circus. Media have no interest in justice or accountability, they just want controversy of any kind as click bait.
Jacko
Guest
Haha Does Cheika want some Cheese with that Whine?
Buk
Guest
Yes, excellent points Snobby, well put.
James in NZ
Guest
I actually feel for Cheika when the media (Fox sports?) get that little exclusive from the coaches box after half time in the heat of game, because he's obviously a heart on his sleeve sort of a guy and he lives every play along with his players, but then getting him to sound all statesman like(in the moment), feels like a stitch up. Rival countries media seem to to be gunning for Cheika now (thinking BBC after the last Twickers test) where they are actively trying to antagonize him to get the potential viral video byte/headline. Corporatism and raw passion don't seem to go together. As uncouth as Cheika is, at least he comes across as genuine (the chip on the shoulder, bully stuff gets old though).
Jimmy James
Guest
As a fan it’s galling that the red would call one one line ball forward pass then miss two blatant forward passes. I don’t accept the referees are humans and humans make mistakes argument. If World Rugby wants to run with that then they should allow captains/coaches an onfield review. Fans deserve better!
Shooter McGavin
Guest
Are people in some sort of alternative reality zone regarding Folau. He blatantly pulled the man off balance in the air. He was lucky not to get a red. Having a moaning biased commentator like Kearns shouldn't make people completely lose sight...
Hurles
Roar Rookie
To be fair he throws his toys after every penalty right or wrong.
Kiwi in us
Guest
I am thrilled that it was a competitive series and that South Africa has lifted. I look forward to the RC and the Bledisloe Cup games. I thought that Ireland was going to crush OZ in three out of three but am happily wrong. I reckon ‘refs and decisions aside’ this oz team has some unfinished business and best not be written off. Bring on RC.
adam smith
Guest
Best statement & response I’ve ever read, Snobby Deans. Agree completely, well done.
In brief
Guest
No rugby needs more men of integrity and less yes men. The Folau decision rewarded cynical and clumsy play by Ireland. If anyone should have been binned it was the lifter.