The disciplinary review of Rassie Erasmus’ video rant against referees should have already happened, says England coach and former Wallabies boss Eddie Jones.
Jones, in an interview with the BBC, said he feared Erasmus’ actions could adversely affect grassroots rugby and called it “disrespectful”.
The Springboks boss’ hour-long critique of the match officials came during the recent series against the British and Irish Lions.
The disciplinary process against Erasmus is ongoing.
“It should be dealt with quickly,” Jones told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“We need to make sure that we have respect in the game because we are asking kids to be respectful to the referee, and if they see examples of players or coaches being disrespectful to the referee it gives them an excuse to do it at their level.”
Jones said there was an “appropriate way” to give feedback about officials, while agreeing there were some problems in the way rugby union is currently being officiated.
“I think the game is in a good place but we have to be careful and I think there are some issues in the game we need to look at very carefully and I think one of them is the diligence of the referees to referee the important part of the game well,” Jones said.
“Rassie made his famous video and I don’t think that is correct, but we need to make sure the referees work as a three a lot harder than they do at the moment to ensure that particularly at the breakdown we get what we need to get, which is a fair contest between contest and continuity.
“But there is an appropriate way to do it, and that is being respectful to the referee.”
Jones meanwhile backed the level of ‘contest’ in the Springboks-Lions series despite external criticism from the likes of New Zealander Steve Hansen.
“I thought it was a great contest, but it was all about the contest and there was no continuity in the game,” Jones added.
“If there were crowds we might have remembered them as good contests, but because it was in front of no crowds it lacked a bit of emotion.
“The rugby wasn’t fantastic, but that’s Lions series’ isn’t it?
“We shouldn’t get too despondent that we think the game is in the wrong direction. The game will bounce back. The one thing we know about rugby is that it is resilient.”
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
In other words influencing the match officials.. Geez everybody does it simply because the system lends itself to it.. Rassie overstepped the mark iis all. Maybe that is not a bad thing in the long run. Bring things to a head so as to speak.
piru
Roar Rookie
Graham Henry accused the referee (Barnes) of match fixing back in 2007. He even wrote about it in his memoirs, so perhaps Rassie should have taken a page literally out of Henry’s playbook. You've repeated this claim multiple times, and it seemed out of left field to me so I looked it up - suffice to say, he never accused Barnes of match fixing (because of course he didn't). He, while reviewing footage, said he 'briefly considered the possibility of (it)'. Now I don't know how the legal system works where you are, but considering a possibility and making an accusation are a very long way apart. There were several sites that dipped into it at the time, but I think the most appropriate article is from right here on the Roar by Spiro himself https://www.theroar.com.au/2012/07/31/graham-henrys-final-word-on-suspected-match-fixing-in-rwc-2007/
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
So his punishment is talk and be damned?
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
EJ’s success far outweighs his failures. But that never seems good enough: – coached 2 WC finalists – assistant coach for WC winning side – won Tri Nations – won J League – coached Japan to defeat SA – achieved record equaling winning streak with a squad of WC failures Doesn’t make his opinions correct, but gives him every right to air them.
Objective Observer
Roar Rookie
Why not? What pays for the game is fans - who should be able to watch a game confident of consistent interpretations and application of the rules. Don’t professional players deserve the same? I don’t think Ref’s are “cheats” or hopelessly incompetent, but they do make mistakes. We are not talking about a public vote for who should Ref a game but the ability for each team to make an open submission post game with a public response. I’m not suggesting this for the Ref of the under 10’s at the local park but for top tier professional rugby.
chucked
Guest
His Memoirs, which came out ten years later and he did not acuse Barnes of Match Fixing. He accused him of 2 things 1. making a very poor decision not to call back a pass, which to the naked eye at full speed and low speed was obvious to a moron - a 2 metre forward pass 2. Not penalising France for 60 minutes - which to this day not one other team has EVER managed to equal, most teams get penalised at worst every 10-12 mins
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
You again. :sick:
Bodger
Roar Rookie
Erasmus did the same effectively with his video but multiple times. This also wasn’t a spur of the moment comment this was a premeditated attack on YouTube against the integrity of the referees. He should be fined and banned for a good while.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Point is… As long as the Match Officials wield so much power without real accountability these allegations will never be far from the surface… Its a potential minefield.. World Rugby, not Rassie Erasmus stands as accused nr 1.. So obsessed with promoting the game they’ve forgotten that its still a sport and not just a brand. Even as we speak despite the game being understood by so few and yes even the elite players often look confused , more new rules are being experimented on. They’ve gone quite bloody bonkers.. And if it takes a boerseun from Despatch to not only point that out to them but tackle em in a Court of Law so be it.
biltong
Guest
Nope it doesn't, however is sets a double standard if they aren't all equally dealt with.
Ex force fan
Guest
Not sure if the formal mechanism is effective as most coaches circumvent it and go to the press. It is not the first video made to discuss referee performance, it is the first that was leaked via social media.
CPM
Roar Rookie
By accepting “videos” critiquing referees performances, WR has set an acceptable precedent which the defence lawyers will argue. A smart lawyer will demand access to those videos and ask WR to explain themselves. It’s not about right or wrong. It is what WR accepted.
Wayne
Roar Rookie
Pressure building on WR to sort itself out now that the list of prominent coaches are adding fuel to the fire is growing.
adam smith
Roar Rookie
And wether other’s have created videos or not, still doesn’t make Rassie “right”, nor for the “others”.
adam smith
Roar Rookie
@CPM, whoa…bit of hostility in that comment, I sense?!?! Imagine if you had of answered my original questions, you wouldn’t be as “touchy” :laughing: Yes, I’ve checked your recommendation…very, very interesting. I’m beginning to see why you were originally so defensive. I may not have “hassled” you if you had of said this at the start…(genuinely) happy to be “informed”! :happy:
Harry Jones
Expert
Player play that game.
Guess
Roar Rookie
Unfortunately some think it's a good idea. A bit unrelated but judging by F1 comments some fans literally say some racing engeneer should be sacked because they aren't entertaining enough. Can you imagine? Does my head in. People are becoming too entitled and lose touch with reality because of sm
Praetorian
Guest
Nigel Owens wrote in his column about having received one with 45 issues raised .He declined to name the source.
biltong
Guest
Not a competition :laughing:
Sci
Roar Rookie
Rassie made a few.